Black Heart Bart is back in black after a stunning first-up victory in the LR Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

The Vaughn Sigley trained gelding broke his maiden at Bunbury in October and, within a month, became the 28th stakes winner by Blackfriars in the LR Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.

Given a quick break after claiming more black-type in the LR Summer Scorcher (1000m) on New Year’s Day, he left stablemate Dawn Approach standing with a trademark finishing sprint on Saturday.

Black Heart Bart (4g Blackfriars – Sister Theresa by At Talaq) clocked 69.64s to better Escadaire’s Cyril Flower record set four years ago.  “He loves short sprints while fresh,” Sigley said.  “But I’m sure he will eventually get out to a mile.”

Connections have long-range plans for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and, in the meantime, will head towards the LR Pinjarra Classic (1300m) on February 22 and LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) on March 8.

Black Heart Bart is the final foal of Sister Theresa who won 6 races and was also fourth home in the 1998 Queensland Oaks.  She is from a half-sister to NZ & Australia Group 1 winner Savannah Success who also foaled Group 1 racehorse and sire Savabeel.

Black Heart Bart was passed-in at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions and has since earned $360,000.  “I was watching the Sale on TV and saw him walk through for $16,000,” syndicate manager Kim Renner recalled.  “I rang Ron Cowl and asked him to go around and check out his legs – Ron said they were perfect.”

Renner offered $20,000 and he was joined by Craig Delacy, Dave Richardson, Arthur Psaltis and Ian McCarthy who are all locals at the Wintersun Hotel in Geraldton.  “I knew Vaughn from his jockey days,” Renner said.  “Increasing weight forced him to ride up here and at places like Exmouth and Newman.”

Black Heart Bart was named after Blackfriars and the heart-shaped blaze on his forehead.  The owners added Bart as a good-luck charm and a tribute to the Melbourne Cup maestro.

Blackfriars has 42 yearlings catalogued for the Perth Magic Millions next week and Scenic Lodge general manager Jeremy Smith said that, apart from their outstanding Day 1 consignment, there are several lots that were extremely unlucky not to make the first session.

“Personally, I have found that Day 2 can be a really good value-for-money sale,” Smith explained.  “There’s not as much hype and many of the interstate and overseas buyers are not in attendance.

“We have two cracking Blackfriars colts on type for sale during Day 2 – Lot 325 (ex Trish Glee by Success Express) and Lot 385 (ex Contiki Kiss by Scenic).  People seem very surprised they didn’t make the cut and I would urge buyers to inspect them.”

Pictures of all lots on offer can be viewed at our website:  www.sceniclodgestud.com.au   or   www.magicmillions.com.au