Black Heart Bart Stakes – 2023

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There are 10 runners for the Black Heart Bart Stakes this year. There are 9 geldings and one mare with one 4YO, two 5YOs, one 6YO, three 7YOs and three 8YOs. Three runners had their last start in the Nicopolis Stakes over 1200m at Belmont 3 weeks ago and two in the Listed Farnley Stakes over 1400m at Belmont 2 weeks ago, while the rest came via different races. Two runners are sired by Playing God and two by All Too Hard. Trainers Daniel Morton and Chris & Michael Gangemi have 2 runners each.

The early favourite is Phanta who finished a length 3rd in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes last start after winning his 2 previous starts. Second favourite is River Rubicon who came from well back to win the Nicopolis Stakes by nearly 2 lengths with dominant closing splits. Third favourite is Baby Paris who had no luck when resuming in the Jolly Beggar Stakes but had trialled well prior to that. Nerodio ran 3rd in the Farnley Stakes and has a big weight drop from that run, while Rokanori gets blinkers on for the first time. The other runners are currently $10 or longer.

1. Startrade (5)

One of 2 runners for Daniel Morton (the other is Weaponson). He ended last campaign well with a win in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes then a 2nd in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes. Resumes here from a 16 week spell but generally needs his first-up run.

2. Nerodio (9)

This 8YO Playing God gelding hasn’t finished worse than 4th in 5 runs this campaign. He finished 2nd in the Idyllic Prince Stakes (for the 2nd consecutive year), then finished 3rd in the Farnley Stakes carrying 60.5 kg last start. Drops 3kg from that run and should run well again.

3. Comes A Time (8)

Won this race last year. Will appreciate the drop back to 1200m and ran a close 2nd to Phanta 3 starts back in the Listed Belmont Newmarket over 1200m. Not the worst.

4. Phanta (2)

Finished a length 3rd in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes last start on 26th August after winning his 2 previous starts (the Belmont Newmarket and the Listed H.G. Bolton Sprint). Leading contender.

5. Weaponson (3)

Resumed from a 20 week spell to run 10 lengths last in the Nicopolis Stakes. That was very disappointing. Prefer to see.

6. River Rubicon (6)

Came from well back to win the Nicopolis Stakes by nearly 2 lengths with dominant closing splits. Has a top record at this track and distance. Winning chance.

7. Rokanori (4)

Gets blinkers on for the first time and is third-up where he usually shows his best. Will be given every opportunity by William Pike.

8. Baby Paris (7)

The only mare in the race this year. She had no luck when resuming in the Jolly Beggar Stakes but had trialled well prior to that. Should be a contender.

9. Outrageous (1)

This All Too Hard gelding resumes from a 44 week spell. Beautifully drawn and can go well first-up, but prefer to see after such a long break.

10. Titan Blinders (10)

Resumes after a 21 week spell and has trialled well. Could place.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
6 River Rubicon
4 Phanta
8 Baby Paris
2 Nerodio

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Baby Paris
2nd	4 Phanta	0.17 length
3rd	10 Titan Blinders	3.48 lengths
4th	7 Rokanori	3.64 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratching: 2. Nerodio.