Lindsay Park’s Caulfield maestro Mr Brightside once again showed his champion qualities overcoming plenty of mid-race pressure to fly home at his pet track and distance in the 2024 Futurity Stakes results.
2024 Futurity Stakes winner Mr Brightside was too good again saluting in his sixth Group 1. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The first horse since Black Heart Bart (2017) to complete the CF Orr – Futurity double, the Team Hayes-trained Bullbars six-year-old backed-up from a devastatingly close win over Pride Of Jenni a fortnight back to dominate today’s opening Group 1 on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.
Jockey Craig Williams settled back one off the fence towards the tail end of the field as the Michael Moroney-trained Buffalo River looked to steal the show getting out to a big lead trying to run away in the $750,000 feature.
The old boy started to tire with 250m to go while Mr Brightside began eating up the ground going up to the front-runner and charging home over the final furlong in a dominant display to secure his sixth career Group 1.
“I’m just very grateful,” winning hoop Williams, who celebrated his fourth Futurity Stakes victory, told Racing.com.
“It’s been a pleasure and privilege to be part of this horse’s development. We’re all reaping the results from the hard work that he does.
“He’s an amazing horse on the race track.
“He’s feared by his rivals.
“A lot of people now are getting behind Mr Brightside
“Mr Brightside, you’re a champion.”
In a nice second was the James Cummings-trained Pericles, while Buffalo River held for third to complete the Futurity Stakes trifecta.
Despite the brave race tactics of apprentice Celine Gaudray with Buffalo River, Mr Brightside had the class to turn up once again and prove too good once again as the odds-on favourite.
“It’s so humbling. Every time we get to put a saddle on him…you’re gobsmacked every time,” co-trainer Will Hayes said.
“For him to able to absorb such high mid-race pressure, kick off and run a fast final 200m is just a champion quality. It’s just awesome.”
He retained his flawless record at the 1400m at Caulfield (5-5-0-0) and is on a brilliant trajectory towards an All-Star Mile title defence at the track on March 16.
From there he is set to head to Flemington on March 30 for the Group 1 $3 million Australian Cup (2000m).
The latest All-Star Mile 2024 odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Mr Brightside at $2 to go back-to-back in the event, while he also leads pre-field 2024 Australian Cup betting that can be access in full here.
2024 Futurity Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 5 | 59kg | $1.50F | |||
| 2 | 2 | PERICLES | James Cummings | Ms Jamie Kah | 1.5L | 1 | 59kg | $9.50 | ||
| 3 | 6 | BUFFALO RIVER (USA) | Michael Moroney | Ms Celine Gaudray (a) | 2.75L | 7 | 59kg | $11 | ||
| 4 | 4 | DOM TO SHOOT | Sean & Jake Casey | Damian Lane | 3.15L | 6 | 59kg | $31 | ||
| 5 | 8 | HEY FAT CAT | Robbie Laing | Jordan Childs | 3.65L | 3 | 55.5kg | $26 | ||
| 6 | 3 | MUNHAMEK (GB) | Nick Ryan | Blake Shinn | 3.85L | 4 | 59kg | $41 | ||
| 7 | 5 | NUGGET (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 4.6L | 2 | 59kg | $10 | ||
| 8 | 7 | ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | Ben Melham | 7.6L | 8 | 59kg | $10
|
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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