2025 Futurity Stakes: Mr Brightside ‘full steam ahead’, co-trainer Ben Hayes says

Lindsay Park says stable star Mr Brightside has shown “good improvement” ahead of a second-up mission to defend his Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) crown at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mr Brightside (Craig Williams) wins the 2024 Futurity Stakes. He’ll be back at Caulfield on Saturday to defend his title. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

Lindsay Park is “full steam ahead” with Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield.

Mr Brightside, touched off by Another Wil first-up in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), has tightened up nicely for the Futurity – his springboard into the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8.

Mr Brightside defeated Pericles in the Futurity Stakes last year.

Trainer Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside had shown “good improvement” since the CF Orr.

“We’re very, very happy with him. He came through the run no problems at all,” Hayes said.

“We had a good look at him a couple days after the race and he passed with flying colours.

“Full steam ahead to the Futurity … he’ll be very, very hard to beat on Saturday.”

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Mr Brightside is a $1.80 favourite in early markets from I Wish I Win ($4.50) and Tom Kitten ($8).

The $16.5m prizemoney-earner stalked the speed in the CF Orr but landed in front too early as leader and third favourite Schwarz faded out of contention at the top of the straight.

Another Wil wore down “sitting duck” Mr Brightside late.

“It was unfortunate (to get beaten but) he ran really well,” Hayes said.

“It was one of his better first-up runs and we just ran into a horse that probably had a slightly better run on the day, but we have no excuses.

“Craig (Williams) rode him well, we were left a sitting duck and got caught on the line. That’s racing. The important thing is he pulled up well and got good improvement.”

THAT'S FOR COLIN! 💚💙

Another Wil nails Mr Brightside over the concluding stages & collects his first Group 1 victory ⭐️@[e-mail]/YafTD5i2ii

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 8, 2025

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Champion jockey Craig Williams has won the Futurity Stakes four times previously with Niconero (2008-09), trained by David Hayes, Brave Smash (2018) and Mr Brightside (2024).

Another Wil, trained by Ciaron Maher, has bypassed the Futurity to go straight into the All-Star Mile.

Eight-time Group 1 champion Mr Brightside won the 2023 All-Star Mile and finished second behind Pride Of Jenni last year.

Hayes said Hong Kong remained on the agenda for Mr Brightside but confirmation would be reserved until after the All-Star Mile.

“The first three runs are set in stone and then we need to work out if we have one more run in Sydney before we go to Hong Kong or not,” Hayes said.

Mr Brightside is slated for the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on April 27.

Originally published as 2025 Futurity Stakes: Mr Brightside ‘full steam ahead’, co-trainer Ben Hayes says