Champion galloper Mr Brightside will not contest the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, with Lindsay Park electing to take a more cautious approach following his bruised heel setback.
The nine-time Group 1 winner, who finished second in the All-Star Mile last start, is now being considered for either the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes next month or a direct trip to Hong Kong for the Group 1 Champions Mile.
“Our campaign is probably going to be set between two races,” co-trainer Will Hayes said.
“We’re going to have a look at the All-Aged Stakes or go straight to Hong Kong.
That’s the logical path we’ll plan back from on Monday, given we are happy with how he’s now pulled up after the run.”
Mr Brightside, who placed second in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes before winning the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, endured a challenging run in the All-Star Mile, narrowly beaten by Tom Kitten.
Despite initially being on the third line of betting for the George Ryder Stakes at $6, the decision was made to prioritise his recovery and long-term goals.
“Off the way he pulled up (after the All-Star Mile), we decided not to go to the George Ryder,” Hayes said.
“We wanted to get him right … we wanted to cruise around on it (the bruised heel) and not gallop him and make it worse.
We just did the right thing by the horse, and after a quiet week, he’s come good.”
Meanwhile, Lindsay Park could still be a key player on Saturday, with Tycoon Star set to line up in the Group 1 Golden Slipper who opened betting at .
The promising two-year-old, who finished third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes and fourth in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, is rated a $21 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the pre-final-field market.
“He’s in terrific order, and we think it was a great practice run on the Sydney leg,” Hayes added. “It’s a very open Golden Slipper.”
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