Big boys can wait
LINDSAY Park is in no hurry to take on “the big boys” just yet with emerging flag-bearer Mr Brightside.
The four-year-old Bullbars gelding has been a revelation for brothers Ben and JD Hayes, by winning five consecutive races with Craig Williams in the saddle.
Mr Brightside‘s performance in the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) on October 17 is likely to dictate next steps for the progressive middle-distance galloper.
“He’s still in his first preparation so we’re getting every ounce of the ratings that we can for him,” JD Hayes said.
“His next step is to go to the Seymour Cup at this stage because he wouldn’t get into the (Group 1) Toorak (Handicap) at the moment with his rating.
“I think he’ll be a better horse in six months time with a preparation under his belt.
“But he’s certainly ticking all the boxes and we think we can get three more runs out of him this time around.”
Williams rated Mr Brightside, who had one start in New Zealand before joining Lindsay Park, perfectly on speed last Wednesday to bank what ended up being a soft win at Flemington.
Given the perfect record the inform jockey has grafted with Mr Brightside, Hayes tipped Williams, a two-time Seymour Cup winner, most recently in 2019, would want to stick with the horse.
“I don’t think a crowbar would even get him off,” Hayes said.
Meanwhile, Lindsay Park will saddle up qualified Cups contender Port Guillaume in Saturday’s Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington.
While the Cup golden ticket awarded to the winner of the Bart Cummings isn’t the priority, Hayes said the former French import would appreciate the extra distance.
Port Guillaume caught the eye racing between horses last start in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), coming from last at the 400m to finish sixth.
“He had a much-improved run last week at Caulfield and he’s come out of that in particularly good order,” Hayes said. “I think 2500m should suit, he’s looking like our Caulfield Cup horse.”
Crosshaven has also been nominated for the Listed Paris Lane Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on Saturday.