Mr Brightside after another Caulfield feature

Posted by RS NewsWire at 2:58pm on February 22nd

The Lindsay Park operation of Ben,Will and JD Hayes are sticking to their plans with Mr Brightside in their chase of a second All Star Mile victory.

Mr Brightside heads to the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, looking to maintain a perfect record over that trip at that track.

Saturday’s race will complete Mr Brightside’s program for the defence of his All-Star Mile title that he won at Moonee Valley last year.

The All-Star Mile will be run at Caulfield on March 16 this year.

Mr Brightside returned with a fighting effort to nail Pride Of Jenni first-up on the line in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes on February 10.

The gelding’s first two 1400m races at Caulfield resulted in success in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes last August followed by victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes two weeks later.

The only time Mr Brightside has tasted defeat at Caulfield was his first attempt at 2000m when he finished fourth to Anamoe in the Group 1 Might And Power in the spring of 2022.

Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside felt his first-up run when landing the prize in the C F Orr but has appreciated getting out in a day paddock at the stable’s Euroa property between runs.

“He’s came through the race no problems,” Hayes said.

“He was in the paddock later in the week, rearing up and running around like a lunatic like he does, and we like to see it.

“He’s spot on to head towards the Futurity.”

Hayes said Mr Brightside had an incredible will to win which was evident in his first-up victory.

He said there was a moment during the C F Orr where he doubted whether Mr Brightside would be able to pick up Pride Of Jenni.

“That was an incredible win,” Hayes said.

“At the 500 (metres), you are thinking ‘Jenni’s got us again’ but he really dug deep and hit the line and when you go back and watch the replays, he won quite soft on the line.

“The best part is he looks to have come through it well.”

Mr Brightside is opposed to seven rivals on Saturday, including Buffalo River who finished third behind the gelding in the C F Orr.

The Lindsay Park galloper opened the $1.50 favourite in betting after drawing barrier five on Saturday.

More Racing News

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...

May 18th

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...

May 18th

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...

May 18th

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...

May 18th

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...

May 18th

Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest

Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...

May 16th

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...

May 16th

‘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...

May 16th

Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?

To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...

May 16th

Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes

Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...

May 16th