Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Champions Mile

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Champions Sprint at Flemington on Saturday.

Mr Brightside (black cap) was too good in the Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala/Getty Images.

Mr Brightside reclaimed the title of Australia’s best miler with a stirring win in the $3 million Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

WHAT A SUPERSTAR!! Mr Brightside with a stunning victory in the $3 million Champions Mile. Craig Williams with a peach of a ride.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/GKWIoOZp2z

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

It looked a race for the swoopers coming to the 200m but back to the inside Mr Brightside surged to the front passing the clocktower and proved too good.

Toorak Handicap winner Antino grabbed second from Fangirl while Pride Of Jenni was the first beaten and finished last with the three-year-old Broadsiding also well beaten.

The victory was Mr Brightside’s 18th from 40 starts, his eighth Group 1 success and took his earnings to more than $16.3 million.

Mr Brightside is a seven-year-old gelding by Bullbars, he was ridden by Craig Williams and is trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Champions Mile.

1st – MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) It’s one of those pinch yourself moments to be a part of this horse. His third ever career race start and it’s been an amazing journey with him. It’s the development of him. Credit has to go to the training partnership with the Hayes boys because Mr. Brightside wasn’t this horse when he started out. They developed him, they gained his confidence, he got stronger, he got better, he believed in himself and now he’s this type of horse. Full credit has to go to, obviously, the boys but also the product of Mr. Brightside who just, he loves to win. And again, they’ve had gear changes throughout his preparation but when he walked in the yard today, he just moved and he felt great. Even his Cox Plate performance was better than when he just got beaten narrowly the year before on times. It was great for him to get another Group One this preparation because they’re not easy, they’re amazing horses, but, and so it gives me nothing but another great thrill.

2nd – ANTINO (Mark Zahra) He ran a great race, had a great turn of foot, he (Mr Brightside) just sort of come out nowhere on the inside. He’s a good horse Mr Brightside.

3rd – FANGIRL (James McDonald) She was super, she really put her best foot forward and ran really well.

4th – STEFI MAGNETICA (Chad Schofield) She’s run a terrific race. We had a beautiful run, we got the gap at the right time, she sprinted and fought very well. I thought to get beat a length by them is very good considering she’s a horse on the way up.

5th – AMELIA’S JEWEL (Damian Lane) She ran great, just probably a touch close to that hot speed. She presented really well but just a little bit of a sitting duck and it’s taken a few good ones to go past her, so I thought she was brave and she was honest.

6th – NEW ENERGY (Dylan Browne McMonagle) He ran well, travelled in the run strong, they didn’t go overly quick – I thought we’d go a bit quicker, which was going to suit my fella – but I had to check 300 metres out and go again but h’s found the line good ad hit it hard so plenty of promise there and hoping he’ll keep improving.

7th – PINSTRIPED (Ben Allen) He got quite wide. It was a quality field, he still ran super but I feel like he’s better around Caulfield.

8th – VON HAUKE (Joshua Parr) He actually performed quite well. I switched back to the inside, which probably wasn’t the right thing to do, but he finished the race off well.

9th – MY OBERON (Nash Rawiller) Obviously he didn’t put his best foot forward today. He travelled in a beautiful spot, just didn’t give the kick that he normally does and really there was no need to knock him around after that. He didn’t quite turn up today and he might have had enough.

10th – BROADSIDING (Michael Dee) He absolutely flew the gates today, so with the way he jumped ad with the weight I thought we were better off to roll forward, he travelled lovely but just probably couldn’t handle that pressure today.

11th – PRIDE OF JENNI (Ben Melham) Unfortunately she’s just had a little bleed.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Champions Mile