Flemington is Mr Brightside’s house.
The 10-time Group 1 champion could not be denied in pursuit of a Makybe Diva Stakes hat-trick – his fourth elite win at Headquarters.
Tactics dominated talks going into Saturday’s six-horse Makybe Diva shootout.
We knew Mr Brightside would lead.
Favourite Via Sistina, Australia’s best horse, and heir apparent Aeliana would be thereabouts? Tick.
Tom Kitten out the back, first-up after a break and potentially vulnerable in a small field? Tick.
Antino loomed as an X-factor.
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Would champion jockey Blake Shinn pull the trigger with an early move aboard the Queensland star?
We knew he could. Refer to Antino’s best wins, the Toorak Handicap and Doomben Cup.
Mark Twain, a Cups hopeful, was largely dismissed in the build-up but he would play a role in the race shape.
The rank outsider landed second in the run – a surprise – and appreciated a tactically brilliant dawdling speed behind Mr Brightside.
It ultimately forced Aeliana and Via Sistina a position further back than expected, so too Tom Kitten and Antino.
Advantage Mr Brightside.
Walk. Trot. Canter.
The champion made it next to impossible to get run down.
MR BRIGHTSIDE 👑
Three Makybe Diva Stakes wins in a row for the Champion! One of the modern greats of the turf 💖😍 pic.twitter.com/SY8C9RE18q
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 13, 2025
Trainer Chris Waller knew Aeliana, “next year’s Via Sistina”, and Via Sistina, were cooked at the 400m.
Antino, who tacked on to the back of Via Sistina around the bend, finished a close up fourth. On track towards the Cox Plate.
To the victor, Mr Brightside, expertly rated by champion Craig Williams, went the spoils.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes lauded the performances of both horse and jockey.
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“It was a 10-out-of-10 ride,” Hayes said.
“Tactically he got an easy time early and because he got an easy time, they couldn’t catch him.
“To win three Makybe Divas and make it 10 Group 1s, he’s an amazing horse. We’re so lucky to have him.”
Mr Brightside put the writing on the wall first-up with a trademark and tenacious Group 1 Memsie Stakes effort to run second to rising star Treasurethe Moment.
He absorbed a hot speed and sustained the effort late, as Treasurethe Moment enjoyed a most economical steer.
His second-up stats, seven wins from nine starts now, commanded respect on Saturday yet he went around $5 in the six-horse field as punters favourite Via Sistina and Aeliana.
“I’m so proud of him and for him to come back and win, to show how good he is, makes us so proud,” Hayes said.
“For JD and Will and I, he’s the most special horse we’ve ever had. We’re just the front men, but Ross (track rider), Will (strapper), he means a lot to everyone and the whole team.”
Craig Williams gives Mr Brightside a pat on the head as they return to the winner’s stall. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Mr Brightside is likely to head to the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on AFL grand final eve, alternatively a trial and trip to Sydney for the Group 1 King Charles Stakes (1600m).
Another Cox Plate bid, Mr Brightside was touched off in Australia’s best race two years ago by Romantic Warrior, has all but been ruled out to focus on pet 1600m targets.
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Waller welcomed the “awesome” Aeliana and Via Sistina runs, set to renew their rivalry likely in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington next month, an entree to the Cox Plate.
“They went awesome. Simple as that. They couldn’t have run any better,” Waller said.
“Mr Brightside is a great horse, Craig took the initiative leading, I didn’t expect my two to lead.
“I thought they were ridden brilliantly, and they put on a bloody good show and that’s what people want to see.
“We got beat but we come away knowing we’re heading in the right direction for our grand finals.
“We’re exactly on target. We don’t need to change anything and the pressure of a 2000m race will suit both of them.
“She’s a star (Aeliana), she’ll win next year’s Makybe Diva and she might win the one after that too.
“Aeliana is next year’s Via Sistina, simple as that.”