Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has had his first trial in preparation for his autumn return at Sandown.
Lindsay Park is looking forward to Mr Brightside being the flagbearer for the stable in an upcoming autumn campaign.
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained galloper had his first jump-out following his spring break at Flemington last Friday with Michael Dee replacing regular jockey Craig Williams.
An official trial at Geelong on January 31 is expected to have Mr Brightside ready for a racetrack return in the Gr.1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on February 11.
Ben Hayes was impressed with Mr Brightside’s jump-out last Friday, his first serious hit-out since finishing third to Alligator Blood in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“Craig is still on holidays, so Michael Dee rode him. He sat back and hit the line strong,” Hayes said.
“It was probably the best first jump-out that we have seen him do. He’s very forward and I’m very happy with how he’s come up.
“He’s strengthened, looks fantastic and will trial again at Geelong on January 31 and then he’ll go to the Orr Stakes first-up on February 11.
“He’ll have a gallop into his next trial, and he should be pretty ready to go.”
With the Champions Mile run two weeks after Mr Brightside finished seventh in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22, Mr Brightside was only afforded a short break in the paddock before starting his build-up for the autumn which Hayes hopes will see the gelding run in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley in March.
The Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on February 25 or the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington the following week were likely lead-up runs to the All-Star Mile, a race Mr Brightside finished fourth behind Zaaki in last year before winning the Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
“Most likely it will be the Orr, Blamey, All-Star Mile and then after that we’ll make a decision if we go to The Doncaster, the Australian Cup or a Queen Elizabeth,” Hayes said.
