Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) suffered his first loss this campaign when he finished second to Fangirl in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Although Mr Brightside’s winning sequence of five wins in a row came to an end, co-trainer Ben Hayes’ confidence about him running well in the Cox Plate wasn’t dented.
Hayes said that according to Mr Brightside’s jockey Craig Williams he raced as if he was looking for the 2040 metres of the Gr.1 Cox Plate at The Valley on October 28.
“We were very proud of him. He was well-ridden by Craig. We just ran into a better horse on the day, who is a very good horse, who peaked on the day,” Hayes said.
“He still ran very well. He still ran second fourth-up after winning a Gr.2 and two Gr.1s. He ran well, but not as well as he did when he won third-up.”
Hayes said the Randwick surface was quite firm which wasn’t his perfect surface.
“I think he runs well on firm tracks, but he enjoys a bit of give out of the track. He’s pulled up quite well, we’re full steam ahead to the Cox Plate.
“Craig said on the bend he dropped the bit a bit earlier than he had been and hadn’t toed himself into the race as he had been doing. Whether this was because of the firm track, I’m not sure, or whether it was because it was a month between runs,”
Mr Brightside hasn’t started at 2000m since he finished seventh in last year’s Cox Plate, but according to Hayes he’s now looking for the journey fifth-up in his preparation.
“It looked to me the way he raced he’ll enjoy the 2000 metres and he has a great record at The Valley where he is suited by the softer surface.”
