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| Staff Writer |
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Lindsay Park stable's Mr Brightside has been an exceptional horse, bringing them numerous firsts. This New Zealand-bred gelding gave Ben and J D Hayes their first Group One win in the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick last year.
Now, with J D's twin brother Will joining the training team at Lindsay Park, Mr Brightside has once again contributed to the trio's first Group One win together. The horse demonstrated his grit by taking out the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Despite being drawn on the outside gate in a field of 14, jockey Craig Williams took a gamble by pushing Mr Brightside forward early on and following Alligator Blood. However, the horse was caught three-wide without cover while Alligator Blood managed to get outside the leader Annavisto.
“I went out and walked the track before that race and I felt it’s not going to be a disadvantage to him if he sits wider rather than having the rail,” Williams said. “I thought I had two options and the horse rewarded me with the decision I made.
“It was a very good race, and I just loved the way that he loves to stick his head out in front, and pin back his ears.
“He’s going to be the best miler in Australia and if the Hayes boys want to go somewhere else with him this horse won’t disappoint because he’s a competitive horse. They’ve got a good handle on him, and I’d be happy to put my red saddle on him wherever he runs.”
"The enormity of Saturday's win is still sinking in," said Ben Hayes.
“Will’s had his first Group 1 win which is amazing, and the whole team got a big buzz out of it,” he said. “Everyone back at the farm behind the scenes has really worked hard and to get the results like this, with a special horse like Mr Brightside, is incredible.”
Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside was likely to head to the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in two weeks’ time, after which a decision would be made on which direction the gelding heads.