Ben Hayes has confirmed that the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on April 27 is on the agenda for his stable star Mr Brightside.
The gelding had his first public hit-out in an 800-metre trial at Werribee on Friday and will begin his preparation in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8 before progressing to the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m), all races he has previously won.
“So he’s got three definite runs here and then we might consider going to Sydney to run in the George Ryder, and then that would lead into Hong Kong, or we run the three runs here and go straight to Hong Kong,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers JD and Will, said.
“I think it’s the right time. He’s done everything he can here in Australia, he’s got nothing much to prove.” Hayes confirmed Mr Brightside had already received his vaccinations for travel to Hong Kong and said the eight-time Group 1 winner had shown no adverse effects.
“I prefer to do it (vaccinate) in a spell. They affect every horse in a different way. Some don’t even get affected, so at this stage, it looks like it hasn’t affected him at all,” Hayes said.
“He’s won a lot of Group 1s and a lot of high-class Group 1s.
“So I think it’s a great time of year to go to Hong Kong.”
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