Mr Brightside stars in 2024 Champions Mile win
If there was any doubt that Mr Brightside had any more in him this spring or that Pride Of Jenni may get the better of him again, the gelding and jockey Craig Williams put that all rest with an emphatic victory in the Champions Mile at Flemington.
It was not that the five-year-old was overlooked by punters as his $5 starting price suggested, but stepping back from 2040-metres last start when finishing fourth in the Group 1 Cox Plate to the 1600-metres of the Group 1 $3 million Mile might have been his undoing.
Certainly not, as he powered to the line to notch his eighth win at the highest level and speared his career prizemoney to more than $16.3 million – that for a horse bought for around $7,000 four years ago.
Consistency counted and the levels of his achievements not lost on the newest generation Lindsay Park training team.
“He’s such a special horse to us,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
“I was hoping he could get that gap, and he got it, and he was so strong through the line.”
Winning by a long-neck, Mr Brightside edged out Queensland visitor Antino ($8) with the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl ($5) the same margin away in third.
“He really is our flag bearer,” Will Hayes added.
“We owe this horse everything. He started our momentum as a stable and really generated a lot of hype for us and the way he’s raced today, it was heart-in-your- mouth stuff.
“We took a risk and put the blinkers on, back in trip, it was suitable and Craig rode him terrifically.”
“The grand final was the Cox Plate,” Craig Williams said.
“He ran fourth but ran a phenomenal race. They’ve come here today for the Champions Mile, with all these horses, they’ve gone for blinkers for the first time and he was the right product today.”
Betting Sites favourite Pride Of Jenni ($4.80) led as expected but faded to run last with rider Ben Melham reporting that the mare bled from both nostrils.
On her Pride Of Jenni’s racing future, Ciaron Maher said: “If she was to have been retired at any of her last 10 starts she has still done a phenomenal job.”
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...