Killer Randwick record
Softer Sydney next stop in Mr Brightside’s 2000m chase
Shifting to a proven money pit could be the factor that provides Mr Brightside with a 2000m breakthrough on Saturday week.
Mr Brightside was beaten for the fourth straight time over 2000m when he finished fifth to Godolphin marvel Cascadian in last Saturday’s Australian Cup at Flemington.
However, Lindsay Park trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes remain adamant Mr Brightside can win at Group 1 level over 2000m.
TODAY
Mr Brightside was narrowly beaten over the championship distance in the Cox Plate last spring but the gelding finished almost five lengths from Pride Of Jenni in the Australian Cup. Ben Hayes said a combination of factors, including Pride Of Jenni’s high pressure racing style, contributed to Mr Brightside’s downfall in the Australian Cup.
“I still thought he ran well,” Hayes said. “He led the field up to her. He knocked up the last little bit but it was a respectable run. They have flown (in the Australian Cup)
TAB CODE: AR
THE DETAILS
RAIL: Out 3m (Incl. 1200m & 1800m Chutes) TRACK: Good (4)
1.10 DUTTONS EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH 1600m. $25,000. 3yo & up Maiden SW. Apprentices can claim. FORM HORSE (BARRIER) JOCKEY WGT RTG ODDS
RACES and unfortunately, the tactics Pride Of Jenni uses don’t help him, especially over 2000(m).
“His best asset is his turn of foot but when they are strongrun 2000 (m races), it takes away his best asset.”
Hayes said the good (3) conditions at Flemington last Saturday posed a minor problem for Mr Brightside immediately following the Australian Cup.
He added Mr Brightside had recovered well from his latest tough run.
“With him, in his fourth run of the prep, he was on a good (3) and he’s just a horse that
DAILY DOUBLE 5 & 7 EARLY QUAD 1, 2, 3, 4 TREBLE 5, 6, 7 QUADDIE 4, 5, 6, 7
2.55 THOMAS FARMS HANDICAP 900m. $25,000. Class 1. Apprentices can claim. prefers a bit more give out of the track,” Hayes said. “He has jarred up a little bit out of the race. He’s trotting fine but he has felt the run.”
A trip to Sydney looms as a different challenge for Mr Brightside for Saturday week’s $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Pride Of Jenni is a possible runner in the rich event but the likelihood of softer conditions left the Hayes camp optimistic of a strong performance from Mr Brightside in the weight-for-age race.
Mr Brightside has an outstanding
TODAY record at Randwick, banking more than $5.1 million with two Doncaster Mile wins and a second in the King Charles III Stakes from three runs at the track.
“The Queen Elizabeth, if it’s a wet track, it’s a completely different story,” Hayes said.
“He hasn’t been on a wet track for a while so we’d be silly to dismiss it. We’ll see how he is and we’ll look to head in that direction. If we’re happy, we’ll accept.”
Mr Brightside is an $8 chance in TAB’s latest Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting.
RACES
TAB CODE: WR
3.44 QUAYCLEAN
1400m. $35,000. 2&3yo 0MWLYSC. Apprentices can claim. FORM HORSE (BARRIER) JOCKEY WGT RTG
ODDS
DAILY DOUBLE 5 & 7 EARLY QUAD 1, 2, 3, 4 TREBLE 5, 6, 7 QUADDIE 4, 5, 6, 7
THE DETAILS
RAIL: Out 16m. Cutaway Applies TRACK: Soft (5)
6.05 LEXUS OF PERTH
1500m. $25,000. 2yo & up Maiden SW. Apprentices can claim.