Mr Brightside to be aimed at Group 1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong in April
Another shot at the All-Star Mile will form part of Mr Brightside’s journey towards a Hong Kong target in late April.
Horse Racing
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Star miler Mr Brightside is set to finally have his first crack at international competition in April.
Mr Brightside has been among the top performers in Australia in the last few seasons but the timing has not quite been right to test the seven-year-old in Hong Kong.
Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have had a trip to Hong Kong in mind for several seasons, deciding against taking the gelding north for last December’s Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.
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However, Ben Hayes said the Lindsay Park team was keen to get Mr Brightside to Hong Kong for the Group 1 Champions Mile in late April.
“There’s not much more he can do, maybe win a Group 1 over 2000m. But that’s about it,” Hayes said.
“He’s won a lot of Group 1s, a lot of high-class Group 1s so I think it’s the right time of the year to go to Hong Kong.”
Mr Brightside had the first jumpout of his autumn campaign at Werribee last Friday.
Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy stepped in for regular rider Craig Williams, piloting the 18-time winner into third in the 800m heat.
“He trialled really well,” Hayes said.
“Jaylah rode him exactly how we wanted and he’s spot-on to go for his second jumpout on the 28th (of January).”
Hayes said Mr Brightside would follow the same program as last autumn for the first three runs this time in.
However, he said the stable had ruled out tackling the Group 1 Australian Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m later in Mr Brightside’s campaign.
“His three runs will be the CF Orr, the Futurity and the All-Star Mile,” Hayes said.
“He’s got three definite runs here (in Melbourne) and we might consider going to Sydney to run in the George Ryder.
“That could lead him into Hong Kong.
“Or we might just have the three runs here and go to Hong Kong.”
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Mr Brightside has been unable to win at Group 1 level over further than 1600m in his illustrious career.
The son of Bullbars has competed in the last three Cox Plates, finishing seventh to Anamoe, a heartbreaking second to Romantic Warrior and fourth to Via Sistina last year.
Hayes noted the retirement of bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni could ease the pressure in big races but the Hong Kong trip was the short-term goal.
“You never ever absolutely scrap it (2000m racing),” Hayes said.
“I think this time in, we’re not going to get the crazy-run races but we’ve got Hong Kong in mind this prep.
“He’s done everything he can in Australia.
“He’s got nothing much to prove.”
Originally published as Mr Brightside to be aimed at Group 1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong in April
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