2025 King Charles III Stakes earmarked for Mr Brightside
The Hayes brothers are carefully plotting Mr Brightside’s lead-up to his spring grand final, the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18, after the gelding’s encouraging second in the Memsie Stakes.
The eight-year-old could head to Flemington for the Makybe Diva Stakes or wait for Randwick’s 7 Stakes the following week. “If we go this week, it’s five weeks until the King Charles. If we wait, it’s four,” Ben Hayes said. “From there it’s either the Feehan Stakes again like last year or keeping him on ice.”
Weather will be crucial, but Hayes acknowledged Mr Brightside has proven effective on all surfaces, pointing to last year’s heavy-track Makybe Diva triumph. He is also convinced the horse will be sharper second-up. “He had to work hard from the draw while Treasurethe Moment had the dream run. He’ll improve sharply this time,” Hayes said.
With the Cox Plate off the table, Mr Brightside is expected to close out his spring in Melbourne, with the Champions Mile or Champions Stakes in Cup week the preferred targets. The camp is also considering a rare back-up into the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield the following Saturday. “It’s something we haven’t tried, but it might be the right option,” Hayes said.
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