Mr Brightside takes out Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington to have Craig Williams jumping for joy

Craig Williams showed his love for Mr Brightside after the pair combined for a sixth Group 1 victory together in the Champions Mile at Flemington.

From tying a young racegoer’s tie for him to a leaping dismount, jockey Craig Williams did it all either side of the Group 1 Champions Mile.

Williams also nailed the important part, getting Mr Brightside home for the gelding’s eighth Group 1 win, the pair’s sixth in partnership.

It was no wonder Williams gave a heart sign coming back to scale, professing his love for Mr Brightside, who cemented himself as one of the great milers Australia has seen with his determined win over Toorak Handicap winner Antino.

WHAT A SUPERSTAR!! Mr Brightside with a stunning victory in the $3 million Champions Mile. Craig Williams with a peach of a ride.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/GKWIoOZp2z

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

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“He’s just consistent,” Will Hayes, who trains Mr Brightside in partnership with his brothers Ben and JD, said.

“He always puts up and he’s honest.

“We’re very lucky to be putting a saddle on him every time he goes around.”

Mr Brightside was one of three Cox Plate runners that dropped back from the 2040m of The Valley’s showpiece to the 1600m of the Champions Mile.

He was the only one of the trio that performed anywhere near his best.

The controversial decision to replace Declan Bates with Ben Melham on Pride Of Jenni did not have the desired effect with the mare one of the first beaten.

Stewards later confirmed Pride Of Jenni had bled from both nostrils, incurring a mandatory three-month ban from race.

Mr Brightside (right) surges home to deny Antino in the Champions Mile at Flemington. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

However, Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre immediately retired the seven-year-old after the uncharacteristic showing.

Cox Plate third placegetter Broadsiding also failed to replicate his last-start effort, weakening quickly after racing near the speed.

Williams said Mr Brightside was all business every time he took the track.

“Mr B, he’s got no BS in him and he’s just a real competitor,” Williams said.

“He did all the running and fighting today. Thanks buddy.

“This horse has just been prepared so well and I had the right horse to be able to do what we wanted to.

“We’ve raced up against Pride Of Jenni to know how we need to be, and I just had the right horse today.

“It was quite amazing. I felt like a passenger through most of the race.”

Craig Williams jumps off Mr Brightside after winning the Champions Mile. Picture: Michael Klein

Mr Brightside’s win took his prizemoney tally to more than $16m from 40 starts

Queensland galloper Antino did his chances of a Hong Kong trip no harm with his game second ahead of the well-supported Fangirl.

Antino’s jockey Mark Zahra praised his mount’s effort but hailed Mr Brightside’s performance.

“He ran a great race, had a great turn of foot,” Zahra said of Antino.

“He (Mr Brightside) just sort of came out nowhere on the inside. He’s a good horse Mr Brightside.”

Originally published as Mr Brightside takes out Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington to have Craig Williams jumping for joy