Rawiller hopes to honour Bart mate

Brad Rawiller would love nothing more than to win tomorrow’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic in honour of Black Heart Bart’s part-owner Craig Delacy.

Rawiller, the Darren Weir stable and Black Heart Bart’s Geraldton owners were rocked by the news yesterday that Delacy died overnight on Wednesday.

Delacy was one of Kim Renner’s four mates who joined him on a whirlwind ride with Black Heart Bart, the winner of five Group 1s and almost $4 million in prize money.

Emotions will run high if the star galloper adds another big win to his record in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.

“Since Bart came along, Craig and I really became mates,” an emotional Rawiller said.

“Two weeks ago before and after the Railway I had dinner with him. I’m just speechless.

“It’s going to be pretty tough on the day but it would be nice to win it for him.”

Rawiller is confident Black Heart Bart will deliver a special victory after his close second to Great Shot in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) last Saturday week.

“At the end of the day he’s the best horse in the race and deserves to be the favourite,” Rawiller said.

After starting his career in WA, Black Heart Bart has become one of the most popular gallopers in Australia.

“As far as guts and determination goes, there’s none better than this horse,” Weir’s travelling foreman Jarrod McLean said.

Black Heart Bart is the star attraction of family day at Ascot tomorrow. Entry is free for children under 16 and there is entertainment for all ages on course.

“The Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic provides the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends before the busy Christmas period sets in,” Perth Racing managing director John Yovich said.