It was a great finish by a great horse to the 100^th edition of a great race at Caulfield on Saturday with Lindsay Park’s returning superstar, Mr Brightside, flashing home late to run over the top of his rivals first-up in an exciting 2024 CF Orr Stakes result.

2024 CF Orr Stakes winner Mr Brightside was excellent late in a thrilling 100th edition of the Caulfield classic. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Favourite backers were left a little worried early when the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained six-year-old missed the kick, but as it turned out with a frantic pace set up front by the brave mare Pride Of Jenni, Mr Brightside was able to settle fifth and save himself for a big late bust.

“He’s a great horse. He’s so dear to our hearts. It panned out he was slow away, but it worked out prefect with the pace,” co-trainer JD Hayes told Racing.com.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Empire Rose Stakes – Champions Mile winning mare from the spring, Pride Of Jenni, was excellent in her first-up run of the autumn jumping away quickly in the Orr to lead.

She looked for a moment like she would go all-the-way, never giving in when challenged by Buffalo River to fight back and stay ahead.

It was now five-time Group 1 star, Mr Brightside, however who stole the show inside the final 50m with jockey Craig Williams able to reel in all those in front and finish on top aboard the short-priced favourite.

“Pride Of Jenni was so brave there, but I was glad he (Mr Brightside) got there late,” Hayes added.

“There’s so much improvement in him to come. Hopefully it’s the start of a big autumn.”

The Bullbars gelding added to his imposing Caulfield track record with his fourth win from five starts at the course and his second Group 1 at the track and trip after his Memsie victory in the spring.

After being beaten to run second three times on the trot, including his nostril flare loss in the Cox Plate at The Valley, to round out his campaign last time in it was a relief for the stable to have their $11.5 million earner back in winning form.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Mr Brightside’s strapper, Will Evans, said with emotion after the victory.

“He did it the tradesman’s way today. He just knows where winning post is.

“Just to get him here today and do that is just amazing.”

In the end the CF Orr Stakes trifecta went the way of Mr Brightside with Pride Of Jenni second and Buffalo River third.

The result was the eighth victory in the Orr for the Lindsay Park family, but their first since the previous season’s Melbourne Cup winner Jeune back in 1995.

All going well, Mr Brightside will return to the 1400m at Caulfield for the Group 1 $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Blue Diamond Stakes Day on February 24^th.

Black Heart Bart (2017) was the last galloper to complete the CF Orr Stakes – Futurity Stakes double.

Mr Brightside was fifth in last year’s Orr and second in the Futurity when both races took place at Sandown while Caulfield underwent renovations.

He is a deserving odds-on favourite already in all-in 2024 Futurity Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au now into $1.95.

From there the team have him set for a title defence in the now $3.65 million All-Star Mile (1600m) that takes place this year at Caulfield on March 16.

Mr Brightside won the All-Star Mile last year at Moonee Valley and pays $2.50 in pre-field markets to go back-to-back – which are available from Ladbrokes.com.au by clicking here.

The Group 1 $3 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 30 is also on the agenda.

“Hopefully he keeps ticking the boxes, but what a horse,” Hayes said.

Click here to bet on Mr Brightside next race.

2024 CF Orr Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

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