Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Futurity Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mr Brightside holds off the fast finishing Tom Kitten (white cap) to win the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

The post arrived at the right time for Mr Brightside to make it nine Group 1 wins in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mr Brightside held off a flying Tom Kitten, which was held up for part of the straight, to score back-to-back wins in the weight-for-age feature.

Mr Brightside’s win was his 11th from 31 starts and took his earnings to more than $16.9 million.

The seven-year-old gelding by Bullbars defeated Tom Kitten with I Wish I Win in third.

MR BRIGHTSIDE DOES IT AGAIN! HE BECOMES A 9-TIME GROUP 1 WINNER! 👑

HOW ABOUT THE RUNS FROM I WISH I WIN AND TOM KITTEN!? @[e-mail]/VSBGAc4s30

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 22, 2025

Mr Brightside was ridden by Craig Williams.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Futurity Stakes.

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1st – MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) Credit to him. He does all the running. The Hayes boys, Will, JD and Ben, and all the team behind, they present him to me on race days. I can have all these plans and ideas, but I have the confidence in the horse knowing from all the way back to his third ever race start, they have developed him into the horse he is now. Nine Group 1’s it’s not easy as you can see by the margin today. He does make my job really easy, but I just know every time I ride him, I have so many options.

2nd – TOM KITTEN (Ben Melham) He’s come back in terrific order. He just launched when he got clear. He’ll be a real live competitor in an All-Star Mile.

3rd – I WISH I WIN (Jamie Melham) He was really good. He peaked near the line. He’ll improve with this run and I think he’ll be hard to beat next start.

4th – EVAPORATE (Michael Dee) A very tough effort. Hopefully he pulls up well and that will hold him in good stead for New Zealand and he should run well over there.

5th – FREEDOM RALLY (Jye McNeil) A great run from him. I thought he stuck on really well and is ready for the mile now.

6th – LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (Ethan Brown) It was a great run. He was doing his best work late which augurs well for the rest of his preparation.

7th – PINSTRIPED (Ben Allen) A much improved run on last time.

8th – PERICLES (Blake Shinn) I think it was the track. He didn’t let down like he can. He layed in around the turn. The track is firming up and I think he felt it.

9th – SUPER SMINK (Billy Egan) She had an off day, so she wasn’t punished. Hopefully she bounces back.

10th – PRIVATE LIFE (Damian Lane) Well below his best. He’s a much better colt than that, so we’ll see how he pulls up.