Mr Brightside set for Makybe Diva Stakes assignment

With a long spring campaign still ahead, trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have taken Mr Brightside back to the Lindsay Park training operation at Euroa to prepare for his next assignment at Flemington.

After wins in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, both 1400m at Caulfield, Mr Brightside now heads to the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Once into the full swing of his preparation, the preferred method of training with Mr Brightside has been to keep him at Flemington between runs.

“The three of us had a chat and decided to take him up to the farm,” Ben Hayes said.

“We took him up to the farm because we’ve got a lovely grass gallop.

“He’s a bit of a bombproof horse.

“He’s good at Flemington, he’s good at the farm, but we can get him out in the paddock, we’ve also got the water walkers up there, all the freshening up facilities, just to keep him happy.

“Hopefully we’re right, but he’s a dream to have in training, I wish they were all like him.”

Mr Brightside returns to Lindsay Park’s Flemington stable on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s race.

Hayes said he was a little surprised with the small field of seven on Saturday which will turn the Makybe Diva Stakes in a tactical affair.

But Hayes was happy to see Mr Brightside draw gate two.

“Last year when we ran in those small fields, we drew wide and elected to go back,” Hayes said.

“When you give horses like Alligator Blood an easy time in front in a sprint home, it’s very hard to chase them down.

“He (Mr Brightside) is very versatile, so we won’t be too far away from him in the race.”

Hayes said there was still improvement to come in Mr Brightside’s coat despite noting there had been considerable improvement from when he first stepped out at Caulfield last month.

“Peter Moody said I Wish I Win was quite woolly, well so were we,” Hayes said.

“He’s looking better again in the coat. His final piece of work on Tuesday was excellent, so he’s showing us no signs those first two runs have taken a toll and we’re confident he’ll run well again.

“He’s never lets us down.”