Lindsay Park were runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), and they are hoping they can go one better in this year’s edition where they will be represented once more by the Kiwi-bred, as well as his compatriot Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Mr Brightside heads into Saturday’s A$5 million feature at The Valley in good form, having won one and finished runner-up in three of his four starts this preparation, including victory in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last month.
Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have been pleased with the way he has come through his last start runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) 10 days ago, and he was kept up to the mark with a hit-out at ‘Breakfast with the Best’ at The Valley on Tuesday morning.
“It (Tuesday’s work) was everything we were looking for,” Ben Hayes told Racing.com. “His action was great and he was really strong through the line. For a final piece of work, I couldn’t be happier.
“He is moving great, Craig (Williams, jockey) commented how good his action felt. We are hoping he is ready to peak on the big day.”
Mr Brightside worked in winkers, an additional gear change for Saturday, which Hayes is hoping will assist their charge.
“We are hoping that (winkers) is the one percenter that can get that extra length,” he said. “He has won a couple of Group Ones with winkers on before.”
Mr Brightside has been a consistent performer for the Hayes brothers, and they are confident of another bold showing from their charge.
“He is in a good frame of mind, he is a happy horse,” Hayes said.
“He is a horse that has never let us down. He has never run a bad race, he is always consistent and you would be crazy to think he is not going to be in the finish.
“He is rock hard fit, he had a good, hard run at 2000m, you can just see a bit of rib now, and he is ready to go.”
Hayes is also looking forward to lining-up fellow Kiwi-bred Evaporate in the time-honoured race.
The three-year-old son of Per Incanto has been in a purple patch of form, winning his first four starts this preparation, including the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m), before placing in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
He will carry a featherweight under the weight-for-age conditions, with Hong Kong-based hoop Karis Teetan booked to ride.
“I think we are going to run,” Hayes said. “With 49.5 kilos it is an opportunity you don’t often get. We did think long and hard about it and last minute we thought it would be silly not to, so we are going to have a go.
“Karis Teetan has been booked, and we are just thrilled with him. He has done everything right.
“When you look back through the three-year-olds, they have got a good record in this race. We beat Broadsiding home (in the Caulfield Guineas) and he has got a great record at The Valley, he is fit and ready to go.
“He is running against the best, but with that weight swing you never know, and this is why I think those three-year-olds have a good record in the race. Hopefully it can all go to plan.”
The Cox Plate is shaping to be a small but select field this year, and Hayes is looking forward to seeing what unfolds.
“This is a unique year,” he said. “I think it is the smallest field they have had in a while. It is going to be very tactical. It has got Pride of Jenni in it and I think it is going to be an exciting race.
“Every horse in the race deserves to be there and I am really excited. It is something that as a trainer you work for to try to win, and we have got a genuine chance. Sometimes you have got to sit back and stop stressing and just enjoy it.”
