JD Hayes admits he “might’ve been a bit delusional” about Mr Brightside turning the tables on Alligator Blood in Saturday’s All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley.
Training alongside brother Ben, their five-year-old finished runner-up and third to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s five-time Group 1 winner in the Futurity Stakes and Cantala Stakes, respectively.
But there was a strong feeling at Lindsay Park that last year’s Doncaster Mile winner would get the job done on Saturday.
And he did it in style, with jockey Luke Currie taking advantage of a beautiful run and a path which opened up with 400m to go.
Drawing barrier two also helped, Mr Brightside now boasting a respectable 10 wins from 22 starts.
“Definitely (I thought winning was possible). He’s been in such good form. He’s been absolutely flying, so we just needed to draw a barrier,” Hayes told HorseBetting.com.au.
“I was pinching myself. I thought I might have been a bit delusional – I can be a bit biased.
“But he put paid to them.”
2023 All-Star Mile – Mr Brightside (1st)
Along with having the physical attributes to put himself in the clear in the fashion he did against elite company, Mr Brightside also brought an unflappable winning mentality to his Saturday assignment.
“He’s an absolute warhorse. That’s why he’s got such a good winning record because he can do those sorts of things,” Hayes said, with Cascadian half a length behind in the runner-up position for James Cummings.
“He was there on the turn and he got aided by a beautiful ride. He had that extra kick in the locker – he absolutely flew late.
“Head-to-head record wasn’t good – it was very much in the Alligator’s corner, but it was nice to get that one.”
Hayes said Mr Brightside had some quirks which needed to be ironed out after winning his first start for Lindsay Park on July 16, 2021, when he saluted in maiden grade at Geelong.
Those unique characteristics are now well and truly in the past.
“He’s now an ultimate professional. He’s so mature,” Hayes said, adding Mr Brightside would attempt to defend his Doncaster title at Randwick on April 1 if he pulled up well.
The elite-level wins have been regular occurrences for the Hayes brothers in recent times, another highlight for them being Little Brose’s victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 25.
“It’s been a good little trot. We’re having a purple patch, that’s for sure,” Hayes said.
“It’s a tribute to everyone back home – they all work so hard, and everyone in their roles are playing their parts.
“It’s just amazing.”
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