Trainer Vaughn Sigley is adamant Black Heart Bart can overcome a distance query when he takes on a field of 16 in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Black Heart Bart has yet to register a win beyond 1420m and has failed in three attempts over 1800m, but the Lark Hill horseman laughs off any concerns.
The Blackfriars gelding ran third in the J.C.Roberts Stakes (1800m) and was unplaced behind Ihtsahymn in the Melvista Stakes (2200m) and Respondent in the WA Derby (2400m).
“People can say it’s going to be a test, but I’m not worried about it,” Sigley said on TABradio.
“As I said before he only got beaten a half-length by Respondent and Ihtsahymn.
“As a three-year-old he wasn’t ready form them at that stage.
“I will see how he gets through Saturday and then I will be looking at the Cox Stakes (2100m).
Sigley said Black Heart Bart had recovered well from his eye-catching fourth to Good Project in last Saturday week’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
From a wide barrier, 58kg and against a distinct on speed bias, Black Heart Bart was mowing the ground late when 2 ½ lengths adrift of the winner.
“Without a doubt I was pleased with the run,” Sigley said.
“His track this morning (Wednesday) and Saturday was lovely.
“He is just ticking all the right boxes and should get a good run from the draw.”
Glenn Smith will partner Back Heart Bart from barrier three.
The gelding, on the cusp of $1 million in stake earnings, opened at $9 on the TAB, but has come in a point to $8.
Meanwhile Sigley is hoping a drop back to a short-course journey can bring about a reversal of fortune for Dawn Approach in the R.S.Crawford Stakes (1000m).
The son of Statue Of Liberty ran a cracking second to Akhedasset in the Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m), but has since gone off the boil.
He ran out of the placings in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and last Saturday faded to last in the A.J.Scahill Stakes (1400m).
“He had a little hiccup along the way that wasn’t major but was there,” Sigley said.
“His last couple of runs over the 1400m he has put the cue away.
“He generally boxes on better than he has.
“I thought I would give him one more run, I’ve got nothing to lose.
“Hopefully he can bounce back and freshen up for the 1000m.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli