We are just about running out of superlatives for Mr Brightside, who claimed a third win at the elite level in Saturday’s $750,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Craig Williams for Ben, Will & JD Hayes, Mr Brightside was obliged to race wide the trip. He looked vulnerable when I Wish I Win and Princess Grace (USA) made a run at him. The 6-year-old son of Bullbars continued to find enough to defeat Princess Grace (Karakontie) by a long neck, with I Wish I Win (Savabeel) a half-head back in third.
The dual Doncaster Mile hero advances his record to 13 iwns, two seconds, and two thirds from 25 starts with earnings of $8,878,427.
It was the first Group 1 win for Lindsay Park since Will joined his brothers.
“I’m so indebted to my brothers and my family for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream in AFL, but it’s a blessing now that they (Carlton) gave me the tap on the shoulder because it’s pretty unbelievable,” Will Hayes said.
Ben Hayes said the Makybe Diva Stakes is the likely target for Mr Brightside this spring.
“From the barrier, I thought it was a great ride when we ended up where we were, just how it panned out,” he said.
“When I Wish I Win peeled off his back and was there to go past him, I was glad he had a run under his belt. It just showed his fighting qualities, why he’s a star, and really lengthened and attacked that line.
“For Will’s first Group One winner, we wouldn’t be anywhere without this son of Bullbars, so I have to thank Wayne Ormond, he’s the one that found him and he’s done enormous things for us and for the team back home.”
Purchased privately after a luckless fifth at Matamata on debut, Mr Brightside was a $22,000 purchase for Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the Phoenix Park draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka May Sale. He failed to find a buyer willing to pay his $50,000 reserve when reoffered at the 2019 NZB Ready To Run Sale.
The son of Bullbars is the best of four winners from as many to race for the Tavistock mare Lilahjay whose dam Keepable (Keeper) is a half-sister to Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas and Group 1 WRC Captain Cook Stakes winner Foxwood (Centaine) and Group III AJC Frank Packer Plate winner Rockwood (Rock Of Gibraltar).
