Although Will Hayes may be better known for his football exploits, he used a cricket analogy to explain their approach to the Cox Plate this year with stable star Mr Brightside.
“We’ve decided to follow the line and length approach of the traditional path towards the Cox Plate by running him in the Might And Power Stakes,” Hayes said.
The Gr.1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) run at Caulfield on Saturday has proven to be the best guide to the Cox Plate.
In the past 14 years, four horses have completed the Might And Power Stakes and Cox Plate double – So You Think (2010), Ocean Park (2012), Winx (2016) and Anamoe (2022) – to underline that it’s the best pathway to The Valley’s famous weight-for-age event.
Sportsbet have installed Mr Brightside as a $1.70 favourite in the Might And Power Stakes, which could attract a small field.
Last year the Hayes brothers opted to head to Sydney for the Gr.1 King Charles Stakes over 1600m, where he finished second to Fangirl a fortnight before the Cox Plate.
This year the King Charles Stakes is a week before the Cox Plate.
By taking the Might And Power Stakes route to the Cox Plate, Mr Brightside will also miss clashing with arch rival Pride Of Jenni who will contest the King Charles Stakes at Randwick.
At their previous meeting, Pride Of Jenni returned to her exciting front running best when she led throughout to defeat Mr Brightside in the Feehan Stakes by a length and a half.
“That was a great spectacle and he’s come out of that race in great fashion. It’s really brought him on. We’re very happy with the way he is presenting for the Might And Power.”
Two years ago, Mr Brightside finished fourth in the Might And Power Stakes and then seventh in the Cox Plate on a heavy track, with both races won by Anamoe.
Last year after he ran in the King Charles Stakes, he finished second to Romantic Warrior in the Cox Plate.
