Article – Racing.com
Mr Brightside has on Friday taken another step towards his return in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, jumping out quietly over 800 metres at Flemington.
The superstar son of Bullbars was having his second serious hit-out for the campaign, after coming fourth in a similar heat two weeks ago and made rapid ground to finish just behind speedy stablemate Here To Shock.
Trainer Ben Hayes was delighted with the work and said his galloper is in tip-top condition ahead of his racetrack return next week.
“We had a good look at him, he’s had a nice blow but recovered quickly. He’s improved again in the coat,” he said.
“I thought it was a great trial for him, because Here To Shock, who’s always been a very good trialler, really bowled along in front and gave them something to catch.
“Through the line he (Mr Brightside) went probably 1000m – he had a good hard hit-out, was very strong, and just got better the further he went in the trial.
“We’re very happy with him, he’s coming along nicely and this will really top him off for the big race next week.
“We always say he’s improved, but it’s kind of hard to say he’s improved again, because you can’t do much more … we can’t fault him.”
WATCH CRAIG CAM FOOTAGE OF MR BRIGHTSIDE’S LASTEST JUMP OUT AT FLEMINGTON:
The Memsie shapes up as the first of several potential clashes between Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni this spring, with Ciaron Maher’s mighty mare a $2.20 favourite for Victoria’s first G1 of the season.
But Hayes is confident Mr Brightside ($3) can turn the tables over the shorter trip first-up, with a view of stepping up to a mile at his following run in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
“It’s going to be a very fun race to watch, we all know what she’s going to do,” he said.
“He’s very good over 1400m and I don’t think she’ll get 30 or 40 lengths in front of him this time – 1400m is a lot shorter than 2000m.
“He’ll be hopefully close enough and if he’s close enough he has a very good turn of foot, he’s won multiple Group 1s over 1400m.
“If he pulls up well, we’ll most likely go to the Makybe Diva, but after that, we’re just going to sit back and wait.”