Mr Brightside set for Spring Carnival riches
Mr Brightside gave Ben & Jd Hayes their first Group 1 winner, taking out the 2021 Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and will follow a similar initial preparation to last Spring, set to resume in Saturday’s Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
New addition to the Hayes training trio, Will Hayes, is hoping the stable stalwart can give him his first Group 1 winner as part of the Lindsay Park operation and thinks the six-year-old is ready to go first up, having won his most recent jump out.
“Couldn’t be more thrilled with his two trials that he’s done at Flemington, he’s in terrific order, he’s a warhorse now, he’s got plenty of pre-seasons under the belt so we’re hoping for a very forward run first up,” Hayes said.
Runs in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) are also pencilled in, with the latter to determine whether he returns to Moonee Valley for another Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) tilt or is kept to a mile.
“We’ll make that decision after the Makybe Diva. We’re definitely going to see how he gets through those first few runs and then make the best decisions from there,” Hayes said.
All 11 of Mr Brightside’s wins have come between 1400-1630m, and the $8 million earner could potentially chase international riches later this year.
A possible overseas trip to visit father David Hayes in Hong Kong for December’s Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) is still very much in mind, with the Cox Plate form already standing up in last year’s edition through Laws Of Indices.
“It’s still a long way away but it’s definitely on the table,” Hayes said.
More Racing News
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...
Chains Of Love's stunning Kosciuszko win defies the odds
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Chains Of Love, despite her challenging draw and a run wide for the entirety of the race, managed to surge past Band Of Brothers in a thrilling conclusion.This victory marks a consecutive win in The Kosciuszko for the training partnership of Paul Messara...
Grafterburners triumphs in Sydney Stakes after declining Everest start
Kelly Schweida, the trainer, has disclosed that he declined an offer for an Everest slot for Grafterburners to focus on its $2 million consolation race. This decision has proven to be a masterstroke, as the colt has claimed a thrilling Sydney Stakes victory at Randwick.The Queensland trainer felt his charge...
So You Are books Melbourne Cup ticket after St Leger triumph
The connections of improving stayer So You Are can celebrate a successful outcome, as the horse has overcome a pre-race incident to position itself favourably for a Melbourne Cup start.In Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick, the Bjorn Baker-trained $3.30 favourite, ridden by Tommy Berry, demonstrated resilience to fend...
Caulfield Classic and Ethereal Stakes Produce New Classic Hopefuls
The complexion of the Spring Carnival's two major Group 1 Classics was altered on Saturday with the emergence of two significant new players at Caulfield.King Snitz has propelled himself into Victoria Derby calculations following a last-stride triumph in the Caulfield Classic, while Quick Finish has climbed the Oaks betting charts...
Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances
Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in...