Mr Brightside goes back-to-back in Futurity Stakes
Mr Brightside once again proved his fighting spirit, holding off multiple challengers to claim victory in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The $1.70 favorite hit the front in the straight under Craig Williams after racing outside the leader, but the race was far from over. I Wish I Win charged on the outside, while Tom Kitten surged between them, making for a thrilling finish.
Despite the fierce competition, Mr Brightside refused to be denied, winning by a half-head over Tom Kitten ($9.50), with I Wish I Win ($7.50) just a head further back in third. Evaporate, the only three-year-old in the race, finished a respectable fourth.
Trainer Ben Hayes, who runs Lindsay Park alongside his brothers JD and Will, admitted the nail-biting finish was nerve-wracking.
“To see him win like that—it’s tough on the heart, but we couldn’t be prouder,” Hayes said.
“He’s the most important horse we’ve ever trained, and to keep delivering on the big stage like this is incredible.”
Mr Brightside’s ninth Group 1 victory sees him surpass the legendary Better Loosen Up, a milestone that deeply resonates with the Hayes family.
“We grew up with Better Loosen Up as a legend in our household,” Will Hayes said.
“To now have a horse that has arguably gone past him—it’s hard to put into words.
“He’s the best horse we’ve trained, and to achieve this so early in our careers is something we’ll cherish forever.”
Craig Williams, who has partnered Mr Brightside in nearly all of his 42 starts, was never concerned about the horse’s ability to bounce back from his first-up defeat in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes.
“This horse does all the work—I just get to steer him,” Williams said.
“The Hayes team does an amazing job, and I have full faith in him every time I ride.
“He’s so versatile and gives me so many options in a race.”
Next on the agenda is a return to the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m), a race he won in 2023, before an international assignment in Hong Kong for the Group 1 Champions Mile on April 27.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...