Mr Brightside will continue his path toward the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, aiming for a second win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) next Saturday.
Following the Feehan, his next target will be the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12, which will serve as his final lead-up before the Moonee Valley weight-for-age showcase two weeks later.
Mr Brightside returned to form with an impressive win in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday, outlasting the front-running Pride Of Jenni in the final stages.
“He pulled up just as well as he did first-up, and that was the best he had pulled up for two years. The wet track definitely worked in his favour and the way the race panned out, it was perfect. He’s in good order with further improvement to come, which is nice,” said Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers JD and Will.
“We’re going to the Feehan, then we’ll go to the Might And Power two weeks after that and then two weeks to the Cox Plate.
“I think that is the best way for him to get to what his Grand Final is,” Hayes added.
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