Warrnambool trained Black Heart Bart put his vulnerability behind him to win the $500,000 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, according to Darren Weir's foreman Jarrod McLean.
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Black Heart Bart hit the lead at the 200-metre mark in the first group one race of the 2016-17 season before going on to defeat Rising Romance and Mahuta.
Weir's Warrnambool stable also had last year's Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, Palentino and Mahuta in the 1400-classic.
McLean said he was worried Black Heart Bart might have needed the run.
"I thought our best hope was Mahuta in the Memsie - just because of his race fitness," he said.
"Black Heart Bart was vulnerable but he was just too strong.
“I would say he's the best horse that I've been associated with.
“He's had six runs since joining Weiry's stable.
“He's now won two group ones and beaten in photo finishes in three others."
Black Heart Bart, who is being set for the $3 million W.S. Cox Plate on October 22, walked in the shallows of Warrnambool's Lady Bay Beach on Sunday morning as a freshen up following Saturday's run.
"He's pulled up a million dollars," McLean said.
“I'm sure he'll be improved by that performance.
“Black Heart Bart is going to the Makybe Diva in a fortnight.
“Weiry will monitor his campaign.
“The main goal is the Cox Plate but Weiry will watch how he's going after each run."
McLean said the runs of Weir’s other runners Mahuta, Palentino and Prince Of Penzance in the group one race were full of merit.
