Mr Brightside Primed for Spring Campaign after Productive Break
Flemington, Australia – If there is any truth to the notion that racing against Pride Of Jenni exacts a greater toll on horses, then no galloper has felt that burden more this year than Mr Brightside.
The Ben, Will and Jd Hayes-trained gelding has faced off against the formidable Pride Of Jenni on four occasions in 2024 so far, starting with a narrow victory in the CF Orr Stakes. He then chased her home in the All-Star Mile (finishing second), the Australian Cup (fifth), and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (third).
“We can’t fault him, he’s a happy horse and he’s working great,” Hayes said. “He put on nearly 40-45 kilos, so he had a really good holiday. He’s carrying some nice condition, but that’s a good position to be in at this time.”
The son of Bullbars will be gradually stepped up to even-time work this week, as the stable prepares him for a slightly later start to his spring campaign compared to the past two seasons. Last year, Mr Brightside became just the third dual winner of the prestigious PB Lawrence Stakes, and a shot at becoming the first three-time winner of that Group 2 event is on the cards. However, Hayes revealed that the gelding’s new-season debut will come in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in August.
New Season Debut
“We’re going to miss the Lawrence,” Hayes said. “We just wanted to give him a little bit more of a break and we’ll go to the Memsie first-up. There are not many other options for a horse like him, otherwise you’re kicking off over a mile, so the Memsie will be the go at this stage and then there is no direct path towards a race like a Cox Plate for us.”
Mr Brightside’s victory in last year’s $750,000 Group 1 Memsie Stakes, which will be run at Caulfield on August 31 this year, has set the stage for an intriguing spring campaign for the talented galloper.
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