Mr Brightside prepares for CF Orr Stakes return
Mr Brightside will return to the scene of his maiden victory when he trials at Geelong.
The Lindsay Park-trained galloper won his maiden at Geelong in July 2021, his third race start and the beginning of a six-race winning streak that eventually led to Mr Brightside becoming one of Australia’s best gallopers.
Mr Brightside is being prepared for a first-up tilt at the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8, a race he won last year when scoring from Pride Of Jenni.
Wednesday’s Geelong trial will be the second hit-out for Mr Brightside after trainers Ben, Will, and J D Hayes took the gelding to Werribee for an 800m jump-out on January 17.
Mr Brightside is down to trial in the second heat of the morning over 1000m, where opposition includes Red Aces, Arabian Summer, and Plenty Of Ammo.
The important set of trials were pushed back a day, owing to the Geelong race meeting that was to be run on Monday being rescheduled to Tuesday because of extreme heat.
Trainer Dominic Sutton will trial Caulfield Guineas runner-up Feroce over 1200m, having scratched the gelding from Mr Brightside’s trial.
Down to trial against Feroce on Wednesday is last year’s Queensland Derby winner Warmonger, who has not been sighted since finishing eighth in the Caulfield Cup, and champion jumper Stern Idol, who is preparing for the upcoming jumps season.
Group 1 VRC Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment is down to trial over 1000m in heat three of the morning, where she will meet fellow high-class three-year-old Too Darn Discreet.
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have a strong team of two-year-olds present, with 13 horses entered across three two-year-old heats.
A total of 14 trials are set to be conducted on Wednesday morning before racing heads to Sandown for a twilight meeting.
More Racing News
Tough Willaidow shines bright in the Southern Cross Stakes
Purchased for just $7000 and with one leg held together by pins, Willaidow’s tenacity on the racetrack has trainer Marc Conners dreaming of big achievements. The six-year-old gelding showcased his grit once again at Rosehill on Saturday, fending off all challengers to claim victory in the Group Three Southern Cross...
She’s Bulletproof does Littlefield proud in the Bellmaine Stakes
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is not typically known for pushing her horses hard, but she had to adopt a tougher approach with She’s Bulletproof in the lead-up to a Stakes race at Sandown. The change in training and feeding regimen paid off handsomely when She’s Bulletproof claimed victory in the Group...
Snitzel colt Blitzes rivals in the Canonbury Stakes
Trainer Gerald Ryan remains cautious about pursuing a Golden Slipper start with Blitzburg, despite the colt’s impressive all-the-way victory in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Blitzburg ($4.80), the most experienced juvenile in the field of seven, surged ahead at the top of the straight and held on...
Inkaruna bobs into 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes contention
Daniel Moor’s dedication to riding in jump-outs at training centers, often overlooked by other jockeys, has paid off in a big way. Moor secured a late booking to ride Inkaruna in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday after Craig Williams was unable to fulfill his engagement...
Jamie Melham getting used to new name
New York Lustre will forever hold a special place in the heart of jockey Jamie Melham after securing a thrilling victory at Sandown. Trained by Enver Jusufovic, New York Lustre delivered Melham her first win since marrying fellow jockey Ben Melham last month, triumphing in the John Moule Handicap (1200m) on...
The Playwright stars in thrilling finish to win 2025 Widden Stakes
Tulloch Lodge is considering following the same path with The Playwright that led Lady Of Camelot to success 12 months ago, after the filly mirrored her Golden Slipper-winning stablemate by claiming the Widden Stakes. Lady Of Camelot won the fillies’ feature last year before finishing second in the Group 1 Blue...
Fresh Ron’s Finalflutter can win Bunbury Classic 2025 says Morton
Ron’s Finalflutter kicks off her potential WA Oaks campaign this Sunday at Bunbury, and trainer Dan Morton believes she has what it takes to deliver a strong performance fresh in the Listed Greenfields Lodge WA Breeders’ Classic (1200m). “I wouldn’t rule her out,” Morton said on Tabradio. “She’s got a lot...
Paula Trenwith chases birthday gift at the Parks
Morphettville based Paula Trenwith could not think of a better present than that of winning a race on her birthday. Trenwith prepares a team of eight horses at Morphettville and has three runners at the Morphettville Parks meeting on Saturday, her birthday. Savatoff runs in the Happy 80th Birthday Glynn Pretty Handicap (1950m),...
Oh baby: Newcastle mare out to finish on a career-high
If the upcoming Rosehill meeting were scheduled just one day later, in-form mare So Newchee Thinks would be ineligible to race. The daughter of So You Think is currently in foal to Starspangledbanner, and according to racing rules, her official cut-off date for competing is February 1, which coincides with...
Filly out to stamp G1 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Dominic Sutton is prioritizing the well-being of his horse over personal ambition as Victoria’s richest two-year-old race approaches. Sutton has Sword Of Legacy among the 81 youngsters still in contention for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22. However, Sutton, who manages dual yards at...