Bart working towards a racetrack return

Multiple G1 winner Black Heart Bart takes the next step in his comeback in a Ballarat jump-out.

The resumption of the racing career of multiple Group One winner Black Heart Bart is set to take a step forward when he competes in a jump-out at Ballarat.

Now in the care of Lindsey Smith at Warrnambool, Black Heart Bart has not raced since finishing last in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield in October when prepared by the now-disqualified Darren Weir.

Black Heart Bart pulled up lame in the off-fore leg and was bilaterally lame behind following that race while also showing signs of internal exercise induced haemorrhage.

Smith said the rising nine-year-old was progressing well but still a long way from making a racetrack return.

Black Heart Bart must undergo an official trial over at least 1000m before returning to the racetrack.

Stewards also require a specialist veterinary report that includes a lameness examination before he trials and another at least 30 minutes after the trial, along with a full body scintigraphy.

“First things first. We’ll get through tomorrow, see if he comes through it and see if he’s got the desire to be a racehorse,” Smith said.

“But his health is in excellent order.”

Smith has not made plans beyond Tuesday’s jump-out but says if Black Heart Bart makes it back to the races, he could be a contender for some of the lesser Group events in the spring.

Black Heart Bart has won 16 of his 53 starts, his latest win being in the 2017 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, one of his five Group One successes.