Mr Brightside helped resurrect a famous racing dynasty when he burst onto the scene in 2021 and on Saturday at Flemington he might well save the All-Star Mile.
The durable veteran is aiming to win his 10th group 1 in the 1600m weight-for-age event for Lindsay Park’s three Hayes brothers – Ben, Will and JD – and his presence gives the contentious $2.5 million race much-needed credibility.
Mr Brightside beats Tom Kitten, centre, and I Wish I Win in the Futurity Stakes for his ninth group 1 win.Credit: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images
Without him, the All-Star Mile would be seen as the Rising Star Mile, considering front-running mare Pride Of Jenni is on the comeback trail and star Sydney trio Via Sistina, Fangirl and Ceolwulf are staying north of the border.
Mr Brightside is a standout name in a compact field of seven – the smallest number of starters in the race’s seven-year history, despite it being elevated to group 1 status for the first time this year.
But don’t be fooled by a lack of numbers. Two of the state’s biggest trainers, Ben Hayes and Ciaron Maher, say quality trumps quantity.
“I wouldn’t say it is easy,” Hayes said of Mr Brightside’s task in this year’s All-Star Mile.
“Another Wil beat him first-up, and we’ve got Tom Kitten who got very close to him last start. We have also got (Chris) Waller’s horse, Atishu, which has got a great record at Flemington and is a group 1 winner.
“It’s a small but very competitive field, and you could put a case forward for plenty of them to win, which is good for racing.”
Mr Brightside is lining up in his fourth All-Star Mile, a pop-up contest created by Racing Victoria in 2017. Since then, it has undergone several iterations, including a $1.5 million drop in prizemoney.
The Hayes-trained seven-year-old gelding finished fourth of 15 behind Zaaki in 2022, first of 15 in 2023 and second of 12 behind Pride Of Jenni last year.
Another Wil, left, edged out Mr Brightside in last month’s group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield.Credit: Getty Images
In that same time, Mr Brightside has seen off rivalries with Alligator Blood, I’m Thunderstruck and Pride Of Jenni. In many ways, he has been the banner horse of the race.
Adding to intrigue is that Hayes believes this year’s edition is equal to any they have contested in the past, especially now it is void of “roadblocks” – lowly rated horses that were voted into the field by the public under the previous conditions of the race.
“Look at the top races around the world – a lot of the top races are small but compressed fields,” Hayes said.
“This race, we have got some of the best horses in the country in it, and there’s no horse really that should not be in the race. I think it is better.”
Maher, who trains second favourite Another Wil and group 1-winning stablemate Light Infantry Man, agrees.
“I think they have done a good job not filling it up with horses that are not good enough,” he said.
“There’s nothing worse than having good horses in a race that you’ve got a heap of other horses that might get in their way. You are better off having a smaller, select field.”
Maher believes this All-Star Mile would have been elevated to an even greater level if last year’s winner Pride Of Jenni had recovered in time to take her place in the field, having been sent for an extended spell after suffering a bleeding attack during last year’s spring carnival.
Leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher.Credit: Getty Images
“If she’s in there, it’s a pretty mouth-watering race,” he said.
Despite her absence, Maher is still confident he can win his second successive All-Star Mile with either last-start group 1 winner Another Wil or the Flemington-loving Light Infantry Man.
“I am rapt with both horses,” he said.
Maher might be confident, but to claim the title he will have to go through Mr Brightside – the most successful group 1 winner in Lindsay Park’s history.
“He’s been racing at the top level for nearly three seasons and that’s what makes him a champion,” Hayes said.
“He’s more than capable of winning this group 1 on Saturday. He’s favourite for a reason, and he’s got a great third-up record.
“We expect him to get the job done, and he’s never let us down.”
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