Team Hayes will consider backing Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield after his gutsy performance to win the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Ben Hayes said it was one of three options he will discuss with his co-trainers and brothers Will and JD on Monday morning.
“He’s pulled up well and we can consider running in the Underwood Stakes this week,” Ben Hayes said on The Wrap.
He said the other options were the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 27 and the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 5.
Hayes said Mr Brightside loved The Valley and had won the race before in 2022.
“He’ll tell us. He’s still a bit woolly and he’s got nice improvement. He’s back and he’s sound.”
Hayes said the Makybe Diva Stakes was the clash everybody wanted to see.
“I thought it was a great watch and Mr Brightside improved and was strong to the line.”
“At the 300m, we thought we had it won; at the 150m we kind of stopped because Pride Of Jenni kept kicking then the last 50m was an enjoyable watch. Credit to her, as she improved out of sight, but it was good to see our boy get his head out in front.”
Hayes said it was really satisfying to see him win after Mr Brightside had been on the end of some criticism.
“He’s never run a bad race. The worst race he’s run was a seventh in the Cox Plate. We worked out his average earnings per run is $450,000. He’s an incredible horse, his record speaks for himself and he’s only seven.”
Hayes said the more rain fell the more confident he got as he loved a wet track which he hadn’t had for two years.
