Mr Brightside, the beloved superstar from the Lindsay Park stable, made a dramatic comeback in the 100th edition of the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, stealing the show in a thrilling finish.
C.F. Orr Stakes winner 2024 Mr Brightside won by a nose on the line first-up at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Despite a slow start, the champion settled comfortably behind a frantic pace set by Pride Of Jenni.
Jockey Craig Williams expertly guided him through the pack, unleashing a powerful finishing kick in the final 50m to snatch victory from the brave mare.
“He’s a great horse. He’s so dear to our hearts. It panned out he was slow away, but it worked out prefect with the pace,” said co-trainer JD Hayes, relieved after Mr Brightside’s impressive return, speaking to Racing.com.
This triumphant return marked Mr Brightside’s fourth win from five starts at Caulfield and his second Group 1 victory on the track/trip. The win was particularly meaningful after a series of frustrating runner-up finishes last season, including in his heart-breaking loss in the Cox Plate.
“He’s an absolute freak,” said Mr Brightside’s strapper, Will Evans, echoing the team’s excitement. “He just knows where the winning post is.”
The victory cemented Mr Brightside’s position as a leading contender in the upcoming autumn carnival.
His next target is the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, followed by a title defence in the All-Star Mile taking place in 2024 at Caulfield, and a potential tilt at the prestigious Australian Cup at Flemington on March 30.
2024 C.F. Orr Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 4 | 59kg | $1.95F | |||
| 2 | 8 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 0.1L | 3 | 57kg | $9 | ||
| 3 | 5 | BUFFALO RIVER (USA) | Michael Moroney | Ms Celine Gaudray (a) | 0.3L | 1 | 59kg | $61 | ||
| 4 | 9 | VEIGHT | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Damian Lane | 1.3L | 2 | 55.5kg | $6 | ||
| 5 | 6 | AYRTON (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ms Jamie Kah | 2.8L | 8 | 59kg | $19 | ||
| 6 | 2 | PERICLES | James Cummings | Mark Zahra | 4.05L | 5 | 59kg | $6.50 | ||
| 7 | 3 | MUNHAMEK (GB) | Nick Ryan | Blake Shinn | 4.55L | 9 | 59kg | $21 | ||
| 8 | 7 | ATISHU (NZ) | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 6.55L | 7 | 57kg | $12 | ||
| 9 | 4 | BUSTLER | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham | 6.65L | 6 | 59kg | $31 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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