The Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) would not be the same without the presence of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).
The Lindsay Park-trained galloper lines up in Saturday’s Group One contest over 1400m for the third time, having won in 2023 and finishing second last year.
Longevity has been the key with Mr Brightside who will be aiming to notch his 20th career win from 45 starts and go beyond A$17.5 million in prize money.
Mr Brightside has been the banner horse for trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes and all are in agreeance the ‘old boy’ is in good order to kick off his latest campaign.
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong this prep,” Ben Hayes said.
“He’s an amazing horse, he responds to work and gets better and better into his campaigns.
“He runs well first up then improves. He’s shown us no signs that he’s not going to do the same thing again.
“He’s just a tough, genuine horse, but it’s going to be a very good Memsie and he’ll run well with improvement to come.”
Hayes said racegoers will see a different Mr Brightside to the one that is usually presented to start in Melbourne’s first Group 1 race of the new season.
Mr Brightside raced further into the autumn this year with his trip to Hong Kong, and on return spent two weeks in quarantine at Spotswood before going out into the paddock at Lindsay Park’s Euroa property in north-east Victoria.
“He’s got a lot better coat on him this year,” Hayes said.
“Last year he was a hairy mammoth first up. There’s more of a shine this time around.”
As is the Lindsay Park custom, Mr Brightside has had two jump-outs to prepare him for Saturday’s return, his most recent over 1000m.
Mr Brightside was pushed out to get maximum benefit from the hit out.
“He was there to have a good hit out. We didn’t want him to go to the line on the bridle,” Hayes said
“He needed to have that hard hit out for fitness. He turns up race day, but he’s a lazy trackworker, it’s just him.
“He doesn’t over-exert himself and that’s the reason he’s been at the top level for four years.
“You are never too confident in Group 1’s but we’re happy he’ll go out there and run a competitive race as he always does.”
The Lindsay Park team also has Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) engaged in Saturday’s race who is one of only three runners in the 11-horse field to have had a race this campaign.
Here To Shock finished third in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16.
“It was a perfect first-up run,” Hayes said.
“They walked and sprinted home the final 400 (metres). He’s got a bit of fitness on his side and deserves his opportunity.”