Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Mr Brightside could have his closing Cox Plate lead-up run on October 12
Mr Brightside has successfully been dominated out of this yr’s $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes with the gelding’s closing Cox Plate lead-up run to be the week prior.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes mentioned he and his brothers had settled on an October 12 run for the seven-year-old, with the $1 million Group 1 The May And Energy (2000m) at Caulfield or the $2 million Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill his two choices.
Mr Brightside ran second in each the King Charles III Stakes and the Cox Plate final yr, when the races have been run two weeks aside, however the one-week hole this yr makes it a less-appealing program.
Hayes mentioned the popular possibility at this stage is to stay in Melbourne for The May And Energy, the race previously often called the Caulfield Stakes, which Alligator Blood gained final yr earlier than ending a detailed third within the Cox Plate.
“The cash could be very alluring, however he’d be backwards and forwards (from Sydney) and he can have a easy prep,” Hayes mentioned of remaining in Melbourne.
“A bit like Gai (Waterhouse) did with Alligator Blood, he gained the Caulfield Stakes after which he ran tremendous in a Cox Plate.
“I believe we’ll observe that path. Sure, it’s much less cash however it’s the perfect factor for the horse.”
Mr Brightside is $2.30 betting websites favorite for The May And Energy, having held down the $6 third in King Charles III Stakes betting.
He’s an $8 probability in Cox Plate odds, that are headed by Japan’s Prognosis ($4) and native star Delight Of Jenni ($4.50), who defeated Mr Brightside by 1-1/2 lengths in final Friday night time’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Mr Brightside was overwhelmed a nostril by Romantic Warrior in final yr’s Cox Plate, having completed seventh – overwhelmed 2.6 lengths – within the 2022 version gained by Anamoe.
He rounded out his 2022 preparations in The May And Energy, ending fourth within the occasion additionally gained by Anamoe.
That James Cummings-trained galloper turned the seventeenth horse to win each races in the identical Spring, emulating champions together with Winx, So You Suppose, Northerly and the horse after whom the race is now named.
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