The CF Orr Stakes was the epitome of what Group 1 racing should be.
There was nowhere to hide with a fast tempo providing a gruelling test, making those involved answer the question of which competitor would dig deepest in the last 200m.
This time it was Mr Brightside.
But for a long way down the straight, it seemed the $1.95 favourite faced a task that was just beyond him at such an early stage of his autumn campaign.
Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes got him in the best possible condition for his first-up run but were mindful to leave some improvement in the multiple Group 1 winner.
Mr Brightside’s heart got him over the line.
Bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni, who has added the element of genuine tempo to Group 1 races at her last three runs, gave an enormous sight in front for jockey Declan Bates but Mr Brightside lifted in the last 50m to post his fifth Group 1 win.
“It worked out perfect with the pace on and Pride Of Jenni was so brave there but I was glad that he got there late and so much improvement in him to come, hopefully it’s the start of a big autumn,” JD Hayes said.
Pride Of Jenni made Mr Brightside earn his win, making him run the second fastest CF Orr Stakes since Lonhro’s win in the 2004 edition of the race.
Mr Brightside clocked 1:22.27 for 1400m despite missing the start. Jockey
Craig Williams said he only became slightly concerned when the six-year-old had to chase a long way out because of the constant pressure from Pride Of Jenni up front.
“I think he just summed up my approach to riding a horse as good as he is, that part was never a worry, it was only when we came under pressure and he wasn’t travelling I went, ‘oh wow’,” Williams said.
“It was a brutal tactic by the second or third horse and it nearly got us all out of our comfort zone.
“But he’s just got a great tenacity, a great will to win.”
Bates said he felt Pride Of Jenni starting to feel the strain of exerting the pressure early in the straight but marvelled at how the Ciaron Maher-trained mare kept finding at her first run since last November.
“I think top of the straight I thought she was going to start to tire a bit but she’s just so tough and has such an engine she can put out more,” Bates said.
With Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni already holding All-Star Mile invitations, the third placegetter Buffalo River earned a start in next month’s rich race with his game effort under jockey Celine Gaudray.
Australia Stakes winner Veight also fought on well to finish fourth at his first attempt at Group 1 level against the older horses.
“He just peaked on his run at the 150 (metres) and obviously Mr Brightside was too good for all of us late,” Veight’s jockey Damian Lane said.
“I thought it was a really good run for his first go in that company.”
