Emerging star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) booked his place in the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) later this month with his sixth consecutive win in Sunday’s Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) at Sportsbet-Ballarat.
The Lindsay Park gelding made a one act affair of the AUS$200,000 feature, settling behind the leader under Craig Williams before hitting the front at the top of the straight and powering away from his rivals to win by more than two lengths.
Having broken his maiden at Geelong in July and given the Hayes brothers their maiden city win in partnership in August, the Bullbars gelding now shapes as one of the most exciting horses in their stable, with Ben Hayes confirming the coveted Group One race at Flemington was now the aim.
“I think that was his most impressive win to date,” Hayes said.
“These horses are very hard to come by and I think he’s quite special.
“Off that run, I think he’d be very competitive there (Cantala) and that was all part of our plan going forward.
“His rating should go up enough to sneak into the race with a very light weight.”
The four-year-old gelding was initially trained in New Zealand by Ralph Manning for whom he ran fifth in his sole New Zealand start before heading to Australia and joining the Ben and JD Hayes’ Lindsay Park Racing operation.
He has since had seven starts from his new quarters, with his only defeat coming when finishing second at Bendigo at his first Australian run.