Mr Brightside eyeing Flemington

Mr Brightside could be set to return at Flemington next Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said weather, not rivals, will dictate the stable’s decision.

Hayes said Lindsay Park are deciding between starting the dual Doncaster winner in Flemington or waiting a week for the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick.

The stable is working back from Mr Brightside’s major target, the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18, with Hayes stressing the horse will be placed “in the right races” rather than avoiding clashes with stars Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment.

“I don’t think we’ll be running away from anyone,” Hayes told Racenet. “It looks like there’s lots of rain this week. If there is, we’ll probably stick to Flemington – one of his best wins was the Makybe Diva – and he’s really come through the Memsie run well.”

Mr Brightside was beaten first-up in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) but lost few admirers after being made to work from a wide barrier and sticking on late. The race was won by Treasurethe Moment, who resumes in the Makybe Diva.

“She definitely had the cruisiest run in the race and the cruisiest win,” Hayes told Racenet. “We had to work from the barrier, very hard, high pressure, and he absorbed it. He was arguably fitter than the rest of the field … she’s special. I was just proud of him.”

Yulong confirmed last week that reigning Cox Plate champion Via Sistina will run in either the 7 Stakes at Randwick or the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.