Champion jockey Craig Williams acknowledges that the unforgettable ride with Mr Brightside will inevitably conclude, but he is enthusiastic about commencing a sixth Spring Carnival campaign with the gelding.
The accomplished hoop is set to partner the nine-year-old, trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, in this Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
This 1400-metre weight-for-age race is one that Williams and Mr Brightside captured together in 2023, and they have also finished second in the event for the past two years.
Saturday will represent Williams’ 45th race ride on the son of Bullbars, a horse on whom he has recorded 18 wins. These victories include the Memsie Stakes, a hat-trick of Makybe Diva Stakes wins, two Futurity Stakes, a Doncaster Mile, and an Orr Stakes, all at the highest level.
“I’ve been lucky to ride 90 Group 1 winners in my career, and I’ve ridden some phenomenal horses, but I’ve won more Group 1 races on him than any other horse.
“That just tells you what he means to me.
“The other part that makes it so special is that I was part of his development. I won his maiden on him and was part of his placement and his development to be that horse.
“He didn’t just step out and become a Group 1 horse.
“The (Hayes) boys have just managed him so well and I’m looking forward to him being back at the racetrack.”
After being outpaced by Café Millenium in a track gallop at Sandown last Saturday, some suggested the end of his racing career was near. However, Williams and the Hayes brothers were pleased with the horse’s showing.
Similar concerns were raised prior to last year’s Memsie Stakes following a seemingly ordinary final jumpout. Notwithstanding this, Mr Brightside fought back to finish ahead of all rivals except Treasurethe Moment in Victoria’s first Group 1 race of the season, before securing a third consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes win.
Williams highlighted that Mr Brightside has not competed since his fifth-place finish in the Champions Mile at Flemington last November, to support his view that the horse is on form.
“My job is to ride him on raceday, in trials and a couple of gallops and he’s never been an impressive worker,” Williams commented. “He has worked better before, but he’s never been what you would say is an impressive worker and he has had a little bit longer layoff this time. He seems like he’s going really well.”
Mr Brightside is aiming to become the 12th multiple winner of the Memsie Stakes. He also has the opportunity to be the second horse to win the race in non-consecutive years, a feat previously accomplished by Sir Boom in 1996 and 1999.
Last year’s Memsie Stakes saw seven individual Group 1 winners compete, and this year’s edition is similarly stacked with talent. Among the 17 entries are Treasurethe Moment, Jimmysstar, Autumn Boy, Beiwacht, and Cosmic Crusader, all Group 1 winners, alongside 12 other elite-level contenders.
Those interested in the Memsie Stakes can check the latest racing betting markets with top online bookmakers.