Black Heart Bart, trained by Lark Hill's Vaughn Sigley holds a strong hand in Sunday’s $120,000 Listed Bunbury Stakes (1400m), combined with stable mate Dawn Approach, rated an $8.50 chance, Sigley will form a potent two-pronged attack in Bunbury’s premier sprint.
But if there is to be a major upset-or at best-a significant challenge to Black Heart Bart, Sigley believes it could come from a rank outsider.
Sigley rates Danablue, currently quoted at $41, as a threat after the Husson Lightning gelding ran a luckless eighth in the Pinjarra Classic.
“I thought it was a good run,” said Danablue’s trainer, Ben Pearce on TAB Radio.
“He didn’t get a lot of room and is the sort of horse that needs to get out and have momentum up.
“He started to wind up from the 400m and then had nowhere to go.
“I think he can run a nice race against obviously some very good horses.
“If we can finish a nice third or fourth behind them I would be stoked with him.”
Danablue, who has drawn in the middle of the ten horse field, has two placings from five second up attempts.
He held out Monteverdi and Fringed when resuming at Bunbury earlier in January. Jarrad Noske takes the ride.
Danablue can round out a top weekend with Pearce looking to cash in with Mad Brad and Don’t Get Caught at Ascot.
Mad Brad, who tackles the World Plumbing Day Handicap (1400m), is getting close after opening his campaign with successive third placings.
First-up he stormed home after a slow beginning behind Temporise before racing wide throughout against She’s A Virtue.
Pearce said despite Mad Brad drawing the widest gate in the field of nine for, Ben Paterson, he could be sent forward.
“The horse is pretty versatile and has sat up on the pace before,” said Pearce.
“I’ve been happy with both his runs and he has bumped into some pretty nice horses.
“He hasn’t disgraced himself and has been right up there with them.
“I think he can run a nice race.”
Pearce said a genuine good tempo in the Safe Drinking Water Handicap (1600m) would bring Don’tgetcaught into play.
Story by RWWA