JD Hayes reveals how Mr Brightside can beat Pride Of Jenni in ‘very tactical’ Feehan Stakes at The Valley

Lindsay Park trainer JD Hayes has revealed the scenario Mr Brightside needs to beat Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley.

Four lengths at the 400m is the equation for Mr Brightside to run down Pride Of Jenni on Friday night at The Valley.

The Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) was limited to four starters with superstars Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, combined winners of $22.8m prizemoney, 10 Group 1s and two All-Star Miles, in the field.

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Trainer JD Hayes said the “very tactical” race suited Mr Brightside.

“Jenni is going to do her thing out in front,” Hayes said.

“It’s going to be how we time our run and try be within four lengths with 400m from home.

“If Mr Brightside is within four lengths 400m from home I’d back him in to run down just about any horse in the country, admittedly she is probably the hardest horse to reel in.”

Mr Brightside is a $1.90 favourite with Ladbrokes from Pride Of Jenni ($2.10), with Antino ($11) and Attrition ($19) expected to race for third and four respectively.

Mr Brightside (left) runs down Pride Of Jenni late in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Retired champion jockey Damien Oliver, a Ladbrokes ambassador, said the start would be important for Pride Of Jenni from barrier one, even in the small field.

“Jenni it’s pretty obvious she likes to lead but she’s not always the quickest to break either, so barrier one from that perspective in a small field is probably not ideal,” Oliver said.

“(Jockey) Declan (Bates) will probably have to give her a squeeze to make sure she jumps, you don’t quite have the luxury (to work across the field), as from an outside gate, if you’re not great away, you don’t have to give them as much a dig.”

Oliver expects a logical settling order behind Pride Of Jenni in the run, with Antino second from Mr Brightside and Attrition.

“Sometimes in a four horse (or small) field you do have a little bit of an element of surprise,” Oliver said.

“They’re animals, things can change on the day and they’re not machines, not everything the same happens every time so you got to be aware of that as a rider.”

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Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Ben and Will, said the Feehan tied into the future plans for Mr Brightside.

“We’ll really know after (Friday) night whether we head to the King Charles or stay in Victoria and run in the Might And Power Caulfield Stakes,” Hayes said.

The $2m Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) in Sydney on the same day as the Might And Power could be an option.

Hayes has sights first on the Feehan and potentially squaring the rivalry ledger with Pride Of Jenni, who leads 3-2 head-to-head.

“There’s a very healthy respect between both camps, Jenni and Brightside, it’s such a good rivalry for racing and I think it’s one we’ll talk about for a while to come too,” Hayes said.

“She’s so hard to run down and we, it’s no lie, had an absolute birthday with Antino carting us up (in the Makybe Diva) and she’s not quite as good in heavy conditions.

“We just had everything go our way and ran her down the last 50m, that’s how honest and tough she is, and Mr Brightside is ever so consistent, so bombproof.

“They’re both remarkable horses and don’t get me wrong, I wish she wasn’t in the time Mr Brightside is going around, but it’s good for racing.”

Originally published as JD Hayes reveals how Mr Brightside can beat Pride Of Jenni in ‘very tactical’ Feehan Stakes at The Valley