The second edition of the Listed Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) will take place at Belmont Park this Saturday.
Formerly known as the Listed Birthday Stakes, the race was renamed last year to honour one of Western Australia’s most phenomenal, profitable, and popular gallopers, Black Heart Bart.
Black Heart Bart was a six-time Group One winner, pocketing nearly $5 million in prize money having been purchased as a yearling for only $20,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Bart won the 2015 edition of Saturday’s $100,000 Listed event, and this Saturday marks the second anniversary of his 100-1 victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
Stageman won a competitive race last year, with this year’s edition appearing to have plenty of depth with seven of the nine runners marked under $15.
Laverrod has opened as the early favourite following a successful campaign in Victoria which included a Listed victory in the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington and a victory at Caulfield.
Massimo, which was formerly trained by Adam Durrant, will step out for the Gangemi stable for the first time, with regular rider Clint Johnston Porter staying in the saddle.
Vital Silver and Uni Time are the only two runners remaining in the field from last year's edition of the race.
Saturday’s nine-race Black Heart Bart Stakes Day meeting at Belmont Park will run earlier than normal due to the AFL Grand Final, with race 1 commencing at 10.34am and the last race starting at 3.30pm. General admission to Belmont Park on Black Heart Bart Stakes Day will be free.