Given his unbeaten Sydney record, it’s little wonder the Lindsay Park team is hesitant to change Mr Brightside’s travel routine ahead of Saturday’s $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
The only two times Mr Brightside has made his way into New South Wales have resulted in a pair of Doncaster wins, but this Saturday provides the opportunity for the most-lucrative victory of his career as he sets up for another Cox Plate tilt.
A perfected travel routine which sees Mr Brightside and his track rider Ross Wishart set off on Monday evening after his final piece of work at Euroa, finishes with his arrival on Tuesday morning at Randwick to his on-course stable.
Describing the horse as ‘workman-like’, Ben Hayes said the last-start Makybe Diva Stakes winner had settled in as well as they could hope for ahead of Saturday.
“He is really good when he travels and really switches on and we’ve got a good routine,” explained Hayes, who trains the stable star in partnership with his brothers JD and Will.
“He is a pretty straightforward horse and Ross gave him a glowing report when he gave him a canter and said he’s lovely and sound and feeling fresh.
“We are thrilled with him and can’t fault him.”
With a fresh batch of form lines with the overseas and Sydney gallopers to contend with, Hayes is confident they still have the horse to beat.
“We respect all the Sydney form but with his record, I think he deserves to be in the market like he is,” he said.
“I think he has drawn a good barrier (eight) and even though it is a very competitive race, but he has got the form on the board.”
Sportsbet has Mr Brightside a $2.20 favourite over Fangirl at $7.50.
As for the stable’s Caulfield runners, which includes Little Brose in the Caulfield Guineas, Hayes gave a strong each-way push for $14 chance Here To Shock in the Toorak Handicap, drawn in barrier three with just 52 kilograms.
– racing.com
