Mr Brightside right for WFA Cox Plate tilt
The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes have will be out to add their names to the honour of Cox Plate winning trainers.
That honour roll includes their father David and grandfather Colin and Ben Hayes believes they have a strong chance in this year’s edition of the 2040m Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Mr Brightside will represent the stable looking to improve on his record at The Valley of three wins from four starts with the gelding’s solitary defeat coming in last year’s Cox Plate when seventh behind Anamoe.
Ben Hayes was a part of the training team when Criterion finished second to Winx in the 2015 Cox Plate, while J D and Ben prepared Mr Brightside for last year’s race.
“I know for the family along with J D, Will and I, the Cox Plate would be a big thrill to continue that history with my father and C S, they both won and it’s something we’d like to do,” Ben Hayes said.
“We got very close with Criterion, but unfortunately, we ran into Winx, in my first Cox Plate.
“I really wanted to win one then, and this is our best opportunity to date, so hopefully he can do it.”
Mr Brightside enters Saturday’s race with three wins to start off his campaign before running second to Fangirl in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 14.
Hayes said Mr Brightside went into that race a little on the fresh side having not raced in four weeks leading into the race and sweated up behind the gates.
“When he sweats up, he generally doesn’t run his best. He runs well, but not his best,” Hayes said.
“He got a bit fresh on us, so with these two weeks between runs, it’s better for him.
“His work has been great. His attitude has been great. He took his rider right up hill in his work at the farm on Tuesday, so I think he’ll be spot-on.”
A question mark exists about whether Mr Brightside will run a strong 2040m, but the Lindsay Park training team is unconcerned.
The gelding will jump from barrier two, the same gate he started from when successful in the All Star Mile back in March, and from that draw should be afforded a soft run.
“He’s got a great record at The Valley and one of the question marks people have been asking about is will he run 2000 metres,” Hayes said.
“I think barrier two gives him every opportunity to do that. He should get a nice soft run.
“All I can say is the horse is in fantastic order.”
More Racing News
Gold Coast trial to sharpen Magic Time for the Kingsford Smith Cup
Michael Dee is heading to the Gold Coast to trial multiple Group 1 winning mare Magic Time ahead of her first run in Brisbane. The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 1 is the race trainer Grahame Begg has picked out to run Magic Time in first-up in Brisbane,...
Kovalica to relish G1 Doomben Cup trip
The anniversary of Kovalica’s biggest success comes up in the next week and Chris Waller is hoping to celebrate the milestone with another Brisbane Group 1 win. The four-year-old son of Ocean Park will chase his first win since last year’s Queensland Derby when he steps out in this Saturday’s $1 million...
Shinn to make Sydney trip for Think About It trial
Blake Shinn will make the trip to Sydney to partner Think About It in a barrier trial as he prepares for his first race ride on the Everest winner. Sam Clipperton has been the gelding’s regular jockey over the past 15 months, but connections decided to make a change following a disappointing Sydney autumn...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...