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| Staff Writer |
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Mr Brightside is pleasing connections ahead of planned autumn assault on three prestigious Australian features before a possible tilt at international glory in Hong Kong.
The 7YO gelding, trained by the Hayes brothers - Ben, JD and Will - showed his wellbeing in an 800m jump-out at Werribee on Friday. Running on for third under apprentice Jaylah Kennedy, the multiple Group One winner impressed his connections.
"He was fantastic. For a first jump out, I thought it was very good for him. We had Jaylah Kennedy aboard and she rode it beautifully, just brought him to the middle of the track and his work through the line was great, exactly what we're looking for, so we're thrilled with the way he is going," Ben Hayes reported.
The New Zealand-bred galloper is set to commence his campaign in the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes over 1400m on February 8, followed by attempts to defend his crowns in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 All Star Mile (1600m).
Having accomplished nearly everything possible on home soil, connections are seriously considering the Gr.1 FWD Hong Kong Champions Mile at Sha Tin on April 27. The eight-time Group One winner has already received his required vaccinations without any adverse effects.
"I prefer to do it (vaccinate) in a spell. They affect every horse in a different way. Some do not even get affected, so at this stage, it looks like it has not affected him at all," Hayes explained.
A potential Sydney raid in the George Ryder remains an option before Hong Kong, though the team might opt to head straight to Sha Tin after his Melbourne assignments.
"I think it is the right time. He has done everything he can here in Australia, he has got nothing much to prove," Hayes added. "He has won a lot of group ones and a lot of high-class group ones. So I think it is a great time of year to go to Hong Kong."
The gelding will have one more preparatory jump-out at Geelong before his autumn campaign commences, with Hayes noting this recent trial was potentially his best first-up