Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy will try to provide the Hayes brothers back-to-back wins within the opening Group 1 race of the Melbourne spring.
Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy have been secure stalwarts for Lindsay Park because the days when David Hayes left for his return to Hong Kong.
When Ben and J D Hayes took over on the helm of Lindsay Park earlier than Will joined the coaching ticket at first of the 2023-24 season, horse numbers had been on the decline.
Some canny placement, not aiming too excessive, too early, led to Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy racing by their grades and ultimately onto the next degree.
Mr Brightside has been a six-time Group 1 winner for Lindsay Park whereas Gentleman Roy was arguably cruelly robbed of success on the highest when associated on protest.
They meet on Saturday within the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, the primary Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, the place they are going to be pitted towards Pleasure Of Jenni.
Ben Hayes is banking on race health proving the important thing for eight-year-old Gentleman Roy whereas the secure will probably be hoping the preventing qualities of Mr Brightside can shine by.
Hayes stated Gentleman Roy deserves his shot on the Group 1 function having received the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) final begin, a race Mr Brightside received final yr on his approach to Memsie glory.
“It is going to be the sixth run for the prep, and he received the standard lead-up which the winner normally comes by,” Hayes stated.
“He’s accomplished every little thing proper and is arguably in profession greatest type.
“His final two runs have most likely been the 2 greatest ones he has put in. He’s a Group 1 weight-for-age winner, however sadly, he acquired that taken off him and he did beat Mr Brightside that day.
“He received’t be capable of dictate, however he hasn’t been in a position to dictate at his final two begins. He’ll be simply behind the pace and provides a superb kick within the straight.”
Hayes stated Gentleman Roy won’t let Pleasure Of Jenni get out of his sights, as just like the Ciaron Maher -trained mare, he’s a free going particular person.
“He’s at all times up on tempo and he’s a free goer, that’s his race fashion as nicely and when he runs greatest,” Hayes stated.
“If it was a gradual tempo, it wouldn’t swimsuit him, he’s acquired no flip of foot.
“They’re comparable horses, however Pleasure Of Jenni is an exception as she will do it for longer over additional, however at 1400 metres, this man has capability.”
The Hayes brothers have taken a distinct route into this yr’s Memsie, racing first-up.
Hayes defined they determined after an arduous spring and autumn marketing campaign to provide Mr Brightside some further time within the paddock.
“We really feel comfy with this system he has had. We all know him very nicely,” Hayes stated.
“We did take into consideration the Lawrence, however we needed to provide him an extended break.
“He had 11 begins final preparation by the entire season and he simply wanted time to have his sneakers off, let his toes develop and let him be a horse for a bit.
“He’s accomplished every little thing for us, and he deserved an additional couple of weeks.”
Hayes stated ideally, he and his brothers would really like a bit rain forward of Saturday’s race, for each Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy who’re getting on in years.
A discipline of eight is ready to deal with the Memsie Stakes on Saturday.
Mr Brightside drew in barrier 4 with Gentleman Roy out in gate eight whereas Pleasure Of Jenni will bounce from barrier seven.
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