Mr Brightside’s return hits a hurdle ahead of CF Orr Stakes 2024

The Lindsay Park stable of Ben,Will and J D Hayes says nothing should be read into the fact multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside has missed a trial at Geelong.

Instead of trialling over 1000m on Tuesday, the Lindsay Park stable is keeping to their proven method of trialling on the Friday ahead of a first-up engagement eight days later.

Mr Brightside will have an 800m jump-out at Flemington on Friday ahead of his return run in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 10.

“There is nothing to read into it,” J D Hayes said.

“We just decided to trial on Friday at Flemington ahead of the Saturday. It is something we have done the whole time and it’s something we felt was appropriate.

“He trialled two Friday’s ago and this will be his second trial.”

While Mr Brightside was absent from Geelong on Tuesday, one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Loft was put through his paces as he builds up towards a racetrack return following a tendon injury.

The German-bred galloper was sent to Australia for a tilt at the 2022 Melbourne Cup and was withdrawn just days before the race.

Having undergone a rehabilitation program with Lee Evison, Loft is ready to make his return, although Hayes issued a word of warning saying the best will not be seen of the gelding until he steps out in trip.

Loft finished third in the 1200m trial behind Sparkle having had two 800m jump-outs at Flemington in the lead-up.

“I was really happy with that,” Hayes said.

“He showed enough speed for a horse that the minimum distance that he won over before is 2800 (metres), so he’s very much just building in the right direction.

“He was clean in the wind, and he didn’t look like he wanted to stop past the line either.

“So, he got a big pass mark.”

Hayes said the stable would look for a suitable race to kick the gelding off in, but added he would need racing before striking form.

If the gelding performs up to expectations, the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April is on the agenda.

“I think he will need a run or two to blow the cobwebs out because he has been off the racing scene for a while, and those races will be well short of his racing distance,” Hayes said.

“We’ll give him a couple of runs well short of his distance to make sure he is rock-hard fit and then hopefully he will end up in the Sydney Cup.

“The main goal with him is still the Melbourne Cup, that was what he was bought for, so this is very much preparing him for that.”