It was a gently return for Mr Brightside,the nine-time Group 1 winner, who returned to the jumpouts at Flemington on Monday, marking the start of his spring campaign.
The star gelding, trained by Ben, JD, and Will Hayes, was last seen competing in Hong Kong in April. After arriving back at Flemington last week, he resumed light duties with a quiet hitout under jockey Luke Currie, with regular rider Craig Williams overseas in Ukraine.
“He just cruised around and did what he normally does, so we were happy with him,” said Ben Hayes. “Luke Currie gave us a good report—he said [Mr Brightside] felt great and did everything he was asked.”
The Hayes stable will stick to their tried-and-true preparation, with a second jumpout scheduled before Mr Brightside’s planned return in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16.
The rising seven-year-old has a strong record in the race, having won the Lawrence in both 2022 and 2023. He missed last year’s edition to kick off his campaign in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
“We’ve stuck to a method that has worked time after time with him,” Hayes said. “While Hong Kong didn’t go to plan, I think the trip still helped him. Horses often come back better after travelling, and he seems no exception.”
Hayes pointed to the example of Cox Plate contender Docklands—who thrived after his trip to Australia before returning to England and winning a Group 1 at Royal Ascot—as evidence that international exposure can be a turning point.
“Docklands came out here, went back, and performed really well. Mr Brightside might be on a similar path,” Hayes said of the son of Bullbars.
