Hall Of Fame trainer David Hayes makes big Mr Brightside prediction

David Hayes was in Australia this week to see family but spent time watching Mr Brightside at trackwork … and he has emerged with a big prediction.

Hall of Fame training legend David Hayes played the role of doting grandfather in Victoria this week, but took “careful note” of the champion Mr Brightside and emerged with a hugely positive bounce-back prediction.

Hong Kong-based Hayes was in Australia to see family but was enthralled by what he saw when nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside was having a spin at trackwork.

Mr Brightside, trained by Hayes’ sons Ben, JD and Will, was a flop when venturing to Hong Kong and finishing last in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin in April.

But Hayes has drawn on what he saw at trackwork this week – as well as his knowledge of legendary former Australian racing champions who have returned Down Under to win big races after failing overseas – to predict big things for Mr Brightside this spring.

He thinks anyone who is writing off the soon to be eight-year-old after his Hong Kong disappointment will have egg on their faces.

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“Fields Of Omagh travelled to Hong Kong and did no good and came back and won a Cox Plate,” Hayes told Racenet.

“Makybe Diva raced in Japan and didn’t win, and she came back even better.

“In more recent times, Antino didn’t fire in Hong Kong but then returned to Australia to win a Group 1.

“Docklands didn’t go good in Hong Kong, yet then won at Royal Ascot.

“There’s a lot of horses this happens to.

“From an overseas trip with a failure, they often bounce back and do very well.

“I’m predicting Mr Brightside will be no exception.”

Pressing replay on this Mr Brightside win! 🙌

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/meSczp3g4V

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

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While Hayes trains half a world away in Hong Kong, he always keeps an eagle eye on Mr Brightside.

After watching him go through his paces this week, Hayes is certain he is going as well as ever.

“At trackwork today, I took careful note of the boys’ champion,” Hayes said.

“I see him at some stage every year and at the same stage of the year this year, I think he is going as well as he has ever been going.

“He will contest weight-for-age races in the spring carnival, but then I think the main goal will be the Champions Stakes (2000m) at the end of the Flemington carnival.”

Hayes has also been hugely impressed by War Machine who won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in devastating style during the Queensland winter carnival.

He said War Machine is only getting better and it is exciting to see what he could achieve in the spring carnival and beyond.