Mr Brightside to be fully recovered for latest clash in Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield

A little rest and state-of-the-art recovery facilities have played a big part in Mr Brightside’s build-up to his next battle in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Star weight-for-age galloper Mr Brightside lifted under jockey Craig Williams to win the CF Orr Stakes first-up on February 10. Picture: Getty Images.

Water and rest have combined to prime super galloper Mr Brightside for another heavyweight battle in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Mr Brightside pushed his limits to run down Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River in an epic return to racing in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes earlier this month.

The C.F. Orr Stakes was a tougher first-up contest than trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes desired but the Lindsay Park facilities were on hand to aid Mr Brightside’s recovery.

“Pride of Jenni and Buffalo River always provide scary race maps so it was a very hard first-up run as was well documented,” Will Hayes said.

“We’re really happy with him but it was an enormous first-up effort.”

Hayes said Mr Brightside had a quiet week after the Orr Stakes with the initial focus on the star gelding’s recovery from his exertions.

He added Mr Brightside ate up well in the days after the race, which aided his muscular recovery.

“He ate up straight away so that’s never been a worry but, when they do have the field under pressure from so far out, it does take its toll so we’ve given him an easy week,” Hayes said.

“It’s about low level movement so it’s about ticking him over.

Mr Brightside (left) wins the C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

“That’s where we’re lucky to have the water walker, the treadmills and paddocks so we get a lot of low-level movement into them, which flushes the muscles out, which is the best form of recovery.

“It’s similar to what human athletes do for recovery.”

Mr Brightside and Buffalo River are among seven early entries for the Futurity Stakes while the resuming Nugget will represent Pride Of Jenni’s trainer Ciaron Maher in the $750,000 race.

Toorak Handicap winner Attrition is scheduled to resume in the race, which offers an All-Star Mile start to the winner.

Hayes said the likely presence of the bold front-runner Buffalo River would ensure the Futurity Stakes provided another strong test for the son of Bullbars.

However, Hayes said Mr Brightside would be ready for another confrontation at Caulfield.

“We’ll just keep him on the bridle for his next run,” he said.

“He’s a champion so we stay out of his way and let him do his thing. He’s always been laconic but, as we hear a million times, champions are made of different stuff.”

Originally published as Mr Brightside to be fully recovered for latest clash in Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield