Hayes pair aim for first G1 of Melbourne spring in Memsie Stakes
Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy have been stable stalwarts for Lindsay Park since the days when David Hayes left for his return to Hong Kong.
When Ben and J D Hayes took over at the helm of Lindsay Park before Will joined the training ticket at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, horse numbers were on the decline.
Some canny placement, not aiming too high, too early, led to Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy racing through their grades and eventually onto a higher level.
Mr Brightside has been a six-time Group 1 winner for Lindsay Park while Gentleman Roy was arguably cruelly robbed of success at the highest when related on protest.
They meet on Saturday in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, the first Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, where they will be pitted against Pride Of Jenni.
Ben Hayes is banking on race fitness proving the key for eight-year-old Gentleman Roy while the stable will be hoping the fighting qualities of Mr Brightside can shine through.
Hayes said Gentleman Roy deserves his shot at the Group 1 feature having won the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) last start, a race Mr Brightside won last year on his way to Memsie glory.
“It will be the sixth run for the prep, and he won the traditional lead-up which the winner usually comes through,” Hayes said.
“He’s done everything right and is arguably in career best form.
“His last two runs have probably been the two best ones he has put in. He is a Group 1 weight-for-age winner, but unfortunately, he got that taken off him and he did beat Mr Brightside that day.
“He won’t be able to dictate, but he hasn’t been able to dictate at his last two starts. He’ll be just behind the speed and give a good kick in the straight.”
Hayes said Gentleman Roy will not let Pride Of Jenni get out of his sights, as like the Ciaron Maher -trained mare, he is a free going individual.
“He’s always up on pace and he’s a free goer, that’s his race style as well and when he runs best,” Hayes said.
“If it was a slow tempo, it wouldn’t suit him, he’s got no turn of foot.
“They’re similar horses, but Pride Of Jenni is an exception as she can do it for longer over further, but at 1400 metres, this guy has ability.”
The Hayes brothers have taken a different route into this year’s Memsie, racing first-up.
Hayes explained they decided after an arduous spring and autumn campaign to give Mr Brightside some extra time in the paddock.
“We feel comfortable with the program he has had. We know him very well,” Hayes said.
“We did think about the Lawrence, but we wanted to give him a longer break.
“He had 11 starts last preparation through the whole season and he just needed time to have his shoes off, let his feet grow and let him be a horse for a bit.
“He’s done everything for us, and he deserved an extra couple of weeks.”
Hayes said ideally, he and his brothers would like a little rain ahead of Saturday’s race, for both Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy who are getting on in years.
A field of eight is set to tackle the Memsie Stakes on Saturday.
Mr Brightside drew in barrier four with Gentleman Roy out in gate eight while Pride Of Jenni will jump from barrier seven.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...