Mr Brightside defied the odds again on Saturday, winning his 10th group 1 and stamping himself as the best 1600-metre horse in the country, leaving the reigning horse of the year Via Sistina in his wake.
That he did it as an eight-year-old is even more astounding. He keeps getting better with age.
“He’s an absolute champion, no one can deny that now and maybe people will start respecting him, and tipping him,” a delighted co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
The three Hayes brothers know that life can be challenging. When they took over Lindsay Park from their hall-of-famer father David they had a mountain to climb. Mr Brightside dragged them back to the top.
“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.
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“For J.D. and Will and I, he’s the most special horse we’ve ever had. We’re just the frontmen, but [track rider] Ross, [strapper] Will – he means a lot to everyone and the whole team.”
Mr Brightside led from start to finish, beating Chris Waller’s rising star Aeliana by more than a length. Via Sistina finished third.
But like all racing greats, jockey James McDonald was able to put Via Sistina’s unexpected loss into perspective.
“[Chris Waller] is a master trainer – he knows what he’s doing, he’ll peak her up,” McDonald said.
“Obviously [we would] love our time again, being outside lead or leading, but that’s racing – we’ll move on and win the next one.”
Earlier, the Robert Hickmott-trained Revelare booked a Melbourne Cup ticket by winning the group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (over 2500 metres).
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