New Zealand-bred multiple Group One winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will kick-off his spring preparation when he heads to Caulfield on Saturday to contest the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding won the 2023 running of the race, and he will be looking to repeat that result this weekend after finishing runner-up in last year’s edition.
The eight-year-old gelding has had two jumpouts this time in and his trainers are looking forward to what they hope is another lucrative spring with their charge.
“We’re really happy with him,” Ben Hayes told Racing.com. “He did his final piece of work this (Monday) morning up at the farm and worked really normal for him. We feel he’s on track to run a great race like he always does.
“He’s probably a bit more forward than other years. He’s got a much healthier coat, which I’ve said a lot, he looks very healthy and well, his work’s been really, really good.
“It’s going to be a very exciting Memsie this year. I feel it’s one of the stronger Memsies there’s been the last couple of years, so if he draws the right barrier, gets the right run, he’ll be right in it. He’s beaten all of those horses before.”
The stable will also be represented in the race by fellow New Zealand-bred Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking).
The Group One winner has race fitness on his side, having placed first-up in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield 10 days ago.
“He’s bounced out of his good effort first up,” Hayes said. “He worked excellently at the farm, he’ll have a bit of race fitness on his side. He’ll be the fit horse going into the race and he deserves his opportunity. He’s really in good form.”
On the undercard, New Zealand-bred mare Chase Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer) will represent the stable in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m).
The daughter of Contributer was runner-up in the Gr.3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) before running third in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) in autumn, and her trainers are hoping she can breakthrough for an elusive stakes win this weekend.
“We’re really happy with her, we think she’s really done well for her trip to Queensland,” Hayes said. “She looks a million dollars and we’re really hoping she gets a run in the Heatherlie.
“There’s quite a few horses accepted at this stage, and she will be down the bottom, but if she gets a run, it’s one to keep an eye on. We’re very hopeful for her this spring.”
Lindsay Park’s Caulfield Kiwi contingent will be rounded out by Per Incanto six-year-old mare Marble Arch (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m).
“She was fantastic winning the Group Two (Blamey Stakes, 1600m) towards the end of last prep and she ran in some very good races,” Hayes said.
“She’s built up really well, I think the 1200m will be a nice kick off for her and look for her improving into the prep.
“We’ll probably look to hopefully have her grand final over Cup Week in the mares’ mile (Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes). That would be the ultimate goal.”
