Mr Brightside delivers spring warning with blistering PB Lawrence Stakes win at Caulfield
Mr Brightside has gone to another level after going back-to-back in the PB Lawrence Stakes, according to jockey Craig Williams.
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Mr Brightside sounded a spring warning on Saturday at Caulfield with an easy first-up triumph in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes to defend the title from last year.
In a matter of bounds around the bend the dual Group 1 and All-Star Mile winner put a margin on the gallant runner-up Pinstriped, with third-placed Aegon an eye-catcher from back in the field.
Champion jockey Craig Williams summed up the race and postscript perfectly.
“His performance today, 12 months later, in this same race, he’s just gone to another level, which is quite scary,” Williams said.
“I used to say ‘arguably’ the best miler in Australia and I think now we’re in for good options with him, he’s really showing how good he is from this preparation onwards.”
Cause I'm Mr Brightside! 🎶
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) August 19, 2023
He goes back-to-back in the P.B. Lawrence! @lindsayparkrace@CWilliamsJockeypic.twitter.com/bLYos792py
Mr Brightside is set to return to Caulfield on September 2 for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes before a spin around Flemington a fortnight later in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Lindsay Park has the $5m King Charles III Stakes, a rebadged and prizemoney boosted George Main Stakes, in Sydney on October 14 in mind for 1600m specialist Mr Brightside before the $5m Cox Plate.
Williams, who has won 10 of 20 starts on Mr Brightside, wants to build on the combination.
“I never question what the Hayes brothers’ partnership decides with him and wherever they decide to go with him I want to be on his back,” Williams said.
“It doesn’t bother me which distance range, whatever decisions they make … they will be rewarded.”
Lindsay Park co-trainers Ben and JD Hayes enjoyed the win at Caulfield while brother Will, added to the partnership this season, undoubtedly followed from afar, playing football for Euroa on Saturday.
“I don’t think it matters if Euroa wins, loses or draws after that,” JD Hayes said.
“Will probably had the water boy running the race (result out), so he’ll be a very happy man.”
Euroa, for the record, lost by nine goals to Kyabram.
Ben Hayes confirmed the Memsie would be the next target for Mr Brightside.
“I don’t know about JD but I was very nervous, when he jumped he landed in a beautiful position and it was a very easy watch it was an absolute 10 out of 10 ride by Craig,” Hayes said.
“He really stamped his authority today, he won impressively, he won very easy and that’s really exciting, hopefully he’s improved again.
“A Memsie will probably be his next assignment and then maybe a Makybe Diva and from there we’ll make a decision.”
Mr Brightside’s fourth-up record in Sydney, undefeated 1600m at Randwick the past two Doncaster Handicaps, has been seriously considered.
“Sydney looks quite tempting,” Hayes said.
“It’s very nice money over there.”
Originally published as Mr Brightside delivers spring warning with blistering PB Lawrence Stakes win at Caulfield
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