The Hayes family team at Lindsay Park is gearing up for an exciting spring campaign, with stable favourite Mr Brightside returning to work and building towards his seasonal reappearance.
The eight-time Group 1 winner has resumed galloping, with a trial scheduled in early August ahead of a first-up tilt at the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 30 at Caulfield.
Mr Brightside went agonisingly close in the Memsie last year before bouncing back in style to win the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington two weeks later.
Ben Hayes said the gelding is further advanced this time around, helped by a shorter spell following a trip to Hong Kong in April, where he was unplaced in the Champions Mile.
“He had his first gallop last Monday and did it well,” Hayes said.
“Compared to other years, he’s got a really good coat for this time of year and looks really healthy and is possibly a bit more forward at the same time as he’s been previously.
“His regular rider Ross commented on it and us three boys all agree.
“His action is good, and he seems a happy horse.”
Mr Brightside is slated for another piece of work this week, before a jump-out at Flemington on August 4 and a second tune-up before the Memsie Stakes.
“He’s a horse that generally doesn’t have a big spell,” Hayes said.
“We were able to give him one last year and he probably peaked first-up and got beaten, but then he came out and won.
“I think he’s very forward. He’s only turning eight and we’re delighted to have him around.”
Stablemate and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine is also in work and being aimed toward a high-profile spring target.
The promising sprinter is expected to resume in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on AFL Grand Final eve, with the hope of securing a slot in the The Everest (1200m).
“He’s arrived safe and sound and is back in work,” Hayes said.
“We’re probably looking at running in the Manikato first-up. Going into that fresh and then hopefully The Everest, if he gets invited.
“The Manikato is two weeks before The Everest, so it will fit well, then there is the $3 million race two weeks after that in Sydney and then we can come back down here for the C F Orr Stakes.”
The C F Orr Stakes (1400m), traditionally an autumn feature, will instead be staged in mid-November this season.
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