Mr Brightside, the talented gelding trained by Team Hayes, has claimed the 2024 Champions Mile in a thrilling finish at Flemington on Champions Stakes Day.
2024 Champions Mile winner Mr Brightside celebrated his eighth Group 1 victory in the event. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
This victory marks his eighth Group 1 win, solidifying his status as one of Australia’s top racehorses.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Mr Brightside settled midfield before launching a powerful finishing burst in the straight getting the gap and charging over the line to deny the fast-finishing Toorak Handicap champ Antino who came with a big run late down the outside.
In third was the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl, while the front runner Pride Of Jenni failed to defend her title finishing a clear last.
“He’s just been so consistent this preparation,” said co-trainer Ben Hayes. “He landed in a good spot, and he was so strong through the line.”
Williams, who has a stellar record in the Champions Mile, praised the horse’s determination. “He’s got no BS in him, and he’s just a real competitor,” he said.
The race saw a clash of the titans, with several top-class horses in contention. However, it was Mr Brightside’s late surge that proved decisive. This victory further cements his legacy as one of Australia’s most successful racehorses.
2024 Champions Mile Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 3 | 59kg | $5 | |||
| 2 | 4 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Mark Zahra | 0.46L | 10 | 59kg | $8 | ||
| 3 | 10 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 0.92L | 8 | 57kg | $5 | ||
| 4 | 12 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Chad Schofield | 1.12L | 4 | 57kg | $13 | ||
| 5 | 11 | AMELIA’S JEWEL | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Damian Lane | 2.12L | 9 | 57kg | $10 | ||
| 6 | 7 | NEW ENERGY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 3.37L | 2 | 59kg | $61 | ||
| 7 | 3 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Ben Allen | 4.12L | 7 | 59kg | $41 | ||
| 8 | 8 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Joshua Parr | 5.12L | 1 | 59kg | $101 | ||
| 9 | 2 | MY OBERON (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Nash Rawiller | 5.87L | 5 | 59kg | $12 | ||
| 10 | 13 | BROADSIDING | James Cummings | Michael Dee | 6.33L | 11 | 52kg | $8 | ||
| 11 | 9 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 7.08L | 6 | 57kg | $4.80F | ||
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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