Darren Weir is poised to claim another Group 1 win at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, when he saddles four runners in the 2016 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
Black Heart Bart remains on the top line of 2016 Memsie Stakes betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
That is the tale of the tape in 2016 Memsie Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au where three of Weirâs runners; Black Heart Bart ($2.70), Mahuta ($6.50) and Palentino ($7.50) dominate the tops lines and figure as the only runners available at a single-figure quote.
A former Perth galloper, Black Heart Bart began his racing career under the guidance of Vaughn Sigley but has undoubtedly found his best form to date since transferring to the care of Weir earlier this year.
Given little chance of success in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) first-up this year, the Blackfriars gelding produced an impressive turn of foot to finish a close second to The Quarterback.
Returning to winning form in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield, Black Heart Bart again finished second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) before breaking through for a maiden in at the highest level in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) in South Australia.
Having returned to the paddock after running second in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in early June, the conditions of the Memsie Stakes are sue to play into the hands of Black Heart Bart and he will prove extremely difficult to beat from the ideal barrier 5.
Mahuta experienced something of a meteoric rise to prominence last spring and is not without a chance of success on Saturday at Memsie Stakes odds of $6.50.
Posting a maiden black type win in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) in October, Mahuta continued his winning run of form through the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) before ending his season with another classy win in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m).
Returning from a freshen-up for success in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3.y.o Guineas (1400m) on January 9th, the Flying Spur entire again found the line in the clear in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) but had clearly had enough by the time he beat only one runner home in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
Having placed third in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and sixth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) this time, Mahuta will likely find a good position on pace from barrier 2 this weekend.
Palentino was one of Weirâs standout performers in autumn but will undoubtedly require luck in running after drawing into the Memsie Stakes field in barrier 10.
Clearly requiring a run when seventh in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) first-up on February 6th, the Teofilo entire lost on protest in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) but responded in the best way possible with a strong win in the Australian Guineas.
Having returned to the paddock after running second to Tally in the Group 2 Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m), Palentino is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from a first-up run for fourth in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) on August 13th.
Weirâs other runner, 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance ($41) is also clearly not slouch, but may find the Memsie Stakes field too sharp first-up.
Lord Of The Sky ($11), Alpine Eagle ($13) and Tarzino ($15) all subsequently represent terrific value in 2016 Memsie Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.