Returning to the track after a 16-week spell, the five-year-old gelding showed why he is the pin-up boy of the Lindsay Park stable, running over the top of Buffalo River to claim his first win in weight-for-age company.
This came after he delivered brothers Ben and JD Hayes their first Group 1 victory in the Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick in April.
Speaking to Racing.com post-victory, Lindsay Park trainer Ben Hayes said the result was a sign of things to come for Mr Brightside.
“The horse is super special. For JD and I, he put us on the map,” Hayes said.
“It was a beautiful ride by Craig (Williams) and boy was he tough. He was right in for the fight.
“It’s really exciting going forward. He wasn’t wound up today, but he’s definitely announced himself.”
With legendary jockey Craig Williams in the saddle, the five-year-old jumped a $4 favourite and settled comfortably towards the front of the field alongside highly fancied I Am Superman ($5).
But while it was placed nicely rounding into the final straight, there was still the task of running down runaway leader Buffalo River, which had skipped out to a comfortable three-length lead.
As the race approached its climax, Williams eventually managed to find some clear air on the outside, allowing Mr Brightside to turn on the after burners and take the lead with 50 metres to go.
The Lindsay Park galloper was given one last challenge by I Am Superman, but still held his nerve to hold on for a 0.2-length triumph.
It was the perfect start to Mr Brightside’s spring campaign and Hayes outlined his plans for the eye-catching gelding, identifying the 1600m Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley on September 3 as the number one target.
“He showed he could mix it with them in the All-Star Mile. It was a very good run there and then he’s gone on and won the Doncaster,” Hayes said.
“To win here first-up, it’s something he hasn’t done for us before, and the way he stretched out, it was really exciting.
“It is going to be an interesting prep. I would love to see him out to 2000m as I think he will be better when he gets out past a mile.
“So, I think we will stick to our guns, go to the Feehan and give him a look at The Valley and that might give us an idea where to go after that.”
Success in the Feehan Stakes would give Mr Brightside ballot exemption into the Cox Plate.
The P.B. Lawrence wasn’t Lindsay Park’s only taste of success at Caulfield on Saturday, with $26 roughie Barbie’s Fox saluting in the 1600m Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap.
Settling among the middle of the field, a beautiful gap opened up for jockey Daniel Stackhouse as they rounded into the final straight.
This is where Barbie’s Fox showed a great turn of foot, bursting up the outside to grab the lead with 150m to go and power to the line to come away with a one-and-a-quarter-length triumph.
JD Hayes told Racing.com the result was incredibly satisfying.
“I have to thank the group of owners who have been so patient. We hadn’t been getting the desired results but she came to us in fantastic condition and we had to just play around with a few things,” he said.
“She does have a few little quirks, but after a great ride from Daniel (Stackhouse) we came away with a good result today.”
Along with the two winners, the stable also had fan favourite So Si Bon run second in the 1600m MRC First Renewal Michael Grumley handicap to cap off a golden day out at Caulfield.
