The spring campaign for Mr Brightside is proving a puzzle for the Hayes brothers, with the champion miler’s path towards the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18 still undecided.

After resuming with a fighting second in the Memsie Stakes, connections must now decide whether to stick to Melbourne for the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this Saturday or wait a week for the 7 Stakes in Sydney. “It’s not an easy decision,” Ben Hayes admitted. “It’s five weeks into the King Charles if we run Saturday, four if we wait. If he goes to Sydney, we might use the Feehan Stakes as a bridge, or we might keep him fresh.”

Rain is forecast to play a role, though Hayes noted with a laugh that the weather seems to follow Mr Brightside. The irony is that one of his most brilliant performances came on heavy going in last year’s Makybe Diva.

While Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment are looming large this spring, Hayes believes Mr Brightside will close the gap. “He had to do a lot more work in the Memsie while she cruised, but his second-up record is excellent. He’ll strip much fitter,” he said.

The Cox Plate is not in the mix this year, but a Flemington finale beckons, with the gelding aimed at either the Champions Mile or Champions Stakes during Cup week. Hayes also floated the idea of backing up into the CF Orr Stakes a week later. “It would be new territory for him, but we’ll weigh it up,” he said.