Mr Brightside comes out on top in Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes as rivalry flares again with Pride Of Jenni

Mr Brightside claimed back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes after another epic showdown with Pride Of Jenni.

Mr Brightside and Craig Williams (left) prevail in a thrilling battle with Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The spring stage is set.

Australia’s best milers Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni reignited their rivalry on Saturday at Flemington with a pulsating battle in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Ben, JD and Will Hayes-trained Lindsay Park champion Mr Brightside, with a long neck triumph, joined Chicquita (1950-51) and Sailor’s Guide (1956-57) as the only horses to win the Flemington feature in consecutive years.

“That was thrilling. What a spectacle,” JD Hayes said.

“Pride Of Jenni was so brave out in front as she is and our bloke had to knuckle down to the task.

“He’s a model of consistency and we’re so glad to have him … he’s unbelievable.

“He truly is unique. We don’t take it lightly to have a horse like him in the stable.

“To come back now as an older horse and perform like that is huge. He’s like a fine wine.”

Mr Brightside wins the Makybe Diva Stakes! 👑

That's SEVEN Group 1 victories for the champion gelding.

Congratulations to the team and connections @[e-mail]/2BnxNpVi6l

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

Pride Of Jenni, trained by Ciaron Maher, silenced the kneejerk doubters with a gutsy and trademark frontrunning display, only headed inside the last 50m.

Pride Of Jenni led by as many as seven lengths in the run, straightened with a four-length buffer, but could not hold out Mr Brightside, now seven-time Group 1 winner and $14m prizemoney earner.

Mr Brightside launched the assault inside the last 400m, peeled off the back of third placed Antino and chased Pride Of Jenni with sustained intent under jockey Craig Williams.

“He’s a sensational horse,” Williams said.

“I was very bullish about his chances today.

“The way he felt, the way he pulled up. It was a harder slow today but he’s got that tenacity to win. He’s an amazing racehorse.”

Mr Brightside firmed $9 into $6 with TAB for the Cox Plate on October 26 at The Valley, while Pride Of Jenni shortened $8 into $5 after the Makybe Diva.

Craig Williams (left) and trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes pose for the cameras with Mr Brightside after winning the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

While “a bit flat” about the narrow result, jockey Declan Bates was delighted Pride Of Jenni bounced back from her first-up Memsie Stakes disappointment.

“She felt herself, she put in a massive effort,” Bates said.

“She gets through the conditions but her wheels were spinning a bit, as in she didn’t love it.

“It was her toughness that almost held her out. Good on Mr Brightside, we were beaten by a very good horse, but the main thing is, she’s come back in really good order.”

Beaten favourite Via Sistina, who laboured on the rain-affected track, eased $4 to $8.

Jockey James McDonald said Via Sistina raced flat and failed to respond to his riding in conditions.

“She just had a bit of an off day,” McDonald said.

“I thought she was going all right, but once I wheeled her out she failed to quicken.”

Queensland Derby winner Warmonger, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, stamped Cups credentials charging into fourth place under jockey Michael Dee.

“Extremely happy with him,” Dee said.

“He came under pressure and hit a bit of a flat spot, but his last two furlongs were great.

“A super effort first-up.”

Originally published as Mr Brightside comes out on top in Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes as rivalry flares again with Pride Of Jenni