Trainer JD Hayes ‘trusts’ Craig Williams will be right to ride Mr Brightside in CF Orr Stakes

Lindsay Park co-trainer JD Hayes is confident Craig Williams will recover from illness to ride champion Mr Brightside in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes on Saturday.

Lindsay Park has the utmost “trust” in Craig Williams to be right to ride on Saturday at Caulfield, including champion Mr Brightside in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes.

Williams tried to ride last Saturday at Sandown but was deemed unfit to fulfil his engagements after being examined on-course by the Racing Victoria doctor.

He rode in one race at Werribee last Friday but could not back up at The Valley that night.

Williams has taken the week off from riding to recover from an untimely illness.

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Lindsay Park co-trainer JD Hayes said Williams would be “A1” for Saturday.

“We trust him, we trust Craig, Craig trusts us, if he says he’s right, he’s right,” Hayes said.

“One thing about Craig, he’s the ultimate professional.

“He’s taking a few days off to make sure he’s A1 for Saturday and I 100 per cent trust him and back him to be at the top of his game.”

Hayes brushed off any contingency.

“Don’t worry about a Plan B, he’ll be right,” Hayes said.

“You’d need a crowbar to take him off.”

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Eight-time Group 1 and All-Star Mile winner Mr Brightside is a $2.50 favourite to defend the CF Orr title despite opposition from likely challengers Another Wil and Schwarz.

Hayes said Mr Brightside has “ticked every box” ahead of the CF Orr Stakes and subsequent Futurity Stakes and All Star Mile targets.

“He owes us nothing and he just keeps on giving,” Hayes said.

“Hopefully there’s a few more wins in store.

“He just looks tremendous, absolutely glowing in the coat, and he’s quite a good looking horse.

“When you’ve won $16.5m it makes you a bit more attractive as well, he’s going as good as ever.

“He’s ticked every box we’ve thrown at him and that usually culminates in a consistent performance and hopefully that’s him winning on Saturday.”

Mr Brightside at the Festival Of Racing launch at Flemington on Thursday. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Lindsay Park hosted the Racing Victoria Festival of Racing Launch at Flemington on Thursday.

“To have horses on the big days in the market and talking about winning chances, and to be able to hopefully be winning a race or two, means everything,” Hayes said.

“It’s what we work for, not only me and my brothers (co-trainers Ben and Will), it’s the whole team here at Lindsay Park.

“It’s very much like a footy team, everybody knows their role and plays their role and we celebrate accordingly when we win.”

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RV chief executive Aaron Morrison is excited for a bumper carnival.

“We had a terrific spring, I think racing was really up and about, a terrific atmosphere, the crowds were well up and everyone was talking about racing,” Morrison said.

“We’re looking forward to carrying that vibe over through the Festival of Racing, over the next eight weeks, we see the return of some absolute elite racing.

“We’re going to have 45 black type races, now 10 Group 1 races (after All-Star Mile promoted), we got 13 country cups and more than $52m in prizemoney on offer, fantastic reasons to get excited about racing again.”

Originally published as Trainer JD Hayes ‘trusts’ Craig Williams will be right to ride Mr Brightside in CF Orr Stakes