Hayes sticks to proven formula with Mr Brightside in King Charles III Stakes

Mr Brightside will be out to continue his love affair with the Randwick mile when he bids to defend his unbeaten record over the course and distance in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes.

The Lindsay Park gelding has returned in career-best form this spring, winning a trio of Melbourne weight-for-age races to start his campaign, culminating with his Makybe Diva Stakes success last start.

His only previous visits to Sydney yielded back-to-back Doncaster Mile (1600m) wins and he returns to the scene of those triumphs in Saturday’s King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

While he hasn’t raced for a month, Mr Brightside has been kept up to the mark with a 1000m jump out at Benalla and co-trainer J D Hayes believes he is right on target.

“That was just a little pipe-opener to keep him up to the mark,” J D Hayes said.

“It’s good stimulation, you can’t get that at home in a gallop. It’s a float ride, a gallop among ten other horses and it’s a bit competitive. It’s like a practice match so it’s a nice hit-out.

“He came home and licked the bin. I think he’s right to go.”

Craig Williams will forgo riding at the Caulfield Guineas meeting to continue his partnership with Mr Brightside, who meets a high-class field of 15 rivals including top campaigners Think It Over and Zaaki, bonny mare Fangirl, overseas raider Buckeroo and former UK galloper Light Infantry Man, who will race for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Mr Brightside made the trip to Sydney on Monday night with his trainers keen to replicate the strategy that has worked for the horse in the past.

“That’s the formula that we’ve used the last two times he’s gone there and it seems to have gone according to plan, so hopefully it’s the same again,” J D Hayes said.

“We’re as confident as you can get. There are internationals coming for it but we’re happy with our bloke.”