Jamie Kah has query about Mr Brightside in All-Star Mile rematch against Another Wil

Jamie Kah gives an insight into her race-day mindset which has her believing Another Wil can beat Mr Brightside again in the All-Star Mile.

Any Group 1 All-Star Mile concerns, real or perceived, champion jockey Jamie Melham has matter not once legged on Another Wil.

Of course, a nice draw, more speed and easier opposition than “freak” Mr Brightside, would help, but Another Wil, a horse on the up with fresh legs “has never felt this good”.

Another Wil banished Mr Brightside last start in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes.

Why not again?

This is the steel mindset Melham has for the $2.5m blockbuster on Saturday at Flemington.

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“Brightside is a superstar, he’s a freak,” Melham said.

“But how long can a horse be up to his best?

“He’s done it for a few years now, nine Group 1 wins, I’m not doubting him one bit but maybe this preparation he doesn’t have as much in the tank, fingers crossed.

“I’ve got the horse with the fresh legs … got plenty left in him, I’ve never felt him this good.

“His attitude is in the right spot.”

Melham has won eight of 10 starts on Another Wil and placed second in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last year.

Their only blemish in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile last year, seventh beaten 2¼ lengths, when Another Wil was not quite mentally up to the 1600m test.

“He was just too aggressive,” Melham said.

“He’s completely changed personalities this time in, so this is the time.

“I always thought he was a 2000m horse, early days, but he was just too highly strung.

“I know 1400m Caulfield is his pet distance, but I’m definitely not worried about the mile.

“He’s looking for this and then 2000m.”

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Another Wil could land in a tricky spot from barrier one but Melham trusts the Ciaron Maher-trained budding weight-for-age star to answer the challenge.

“I would’ve been worried last year if I was riding him in a race with no speed because he used to be so aggressive, but he’s been so professional lately,” Melham said.

“He’s probably the one horse I wouldn’t be worried being on the fence because he makes his own luck, he pushes his way out, he’s a very push button horse.

“Barrier one is my least favourite barrier but on him he takes luck out of the equation.”

Melham owned Super Saturday last year with feature wins, Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes, on the 12-month anniversary of a life-threatening fall.

“There’s someone up there looking after me,” Melham said.

“Last year Traffic Warden (Sires’ Produce winner) really got to me, I don’t remember anything from that race, I remember going into the gates and crossing the line, then I burst into tears.

“It’s weird. Your mind does so much for you, you block out so many things and don’t think about it until it actually happens and think, ‘s---, did that just happen?’”

Jamie Kah is chasing another Group 1 victory on Another Wil in the All-Star Mile on Saturday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Melham parked emotions for more race day-success last year, with a special Another Wil victory at Flemington just days after the death of friend and mentor Colin McKenna.

“It’s hard when you start off (focusing on the job), the last 10 years I’ve been in a good spot,” Melham said of her match-day mindset.

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“As soon as you’re on the horse you don’t hear anything, think anything, the hardest part is the mounting yard.

“Especially when Colin passed, talking to Ciaron and everyone there, that was the hardest part. When you’re on the horse everything switches out of your mind.

“You’re there to do your job. You go out there, get on the horse and you go to work.”

McKenna owned and bred Another Wil.

Melham made good on a pledge to win a Group 1 on Another Wil last start, with McKenna’s widow Janice, along with friends and family at Caulfield.

“This one would be at the top of the list,” Melham said, with sights on a second All-Star Mile win after she piloted Zaaki to victory in 2022.

“Every race I’ve won on Wil, something about this horse is very special, especially as we’re doing it for his dad, doing it for Col.”

Originally published as Jamie Kah has query about Mr Brightside in All-Star Mile rematch against Another Wil