It was emotional scenes all around at Moonee Valley as Luke Currie and the Ben & JD Hayes yard have combined with Mr Brightside to take out the All Star Mile.
Mr Brightside got a perfect run throughout the $5,000,000 feature as Luke Currie patiently cleared a path with 400m to go.
It was Keats and Gentleman Roy who powered across to set alight an intense tempo for the backmarkers to sprint off and it played into the eventual winners hands, biding his time in behind the speed, before peeling off the back of race favourite Alligator Blood to get in before some late challengers.
Both Cascadian and The Inevitable were enormous from near enough to last flying home looking to spoil the party for Luke Currie and connections of Mr Brightside, but it all came too late with Mr Brightside off and gone with the prize.
2023 All Star Mile Replay – Mr Brightside
The win comes as a model of consistency with him running second behind Alligator Blood in The Futurity at Sandown and finishing behind the same horse in the Champions Mile at Flemington to end his previous campaign.
JD Hayes spoke post-race about one of his stables flagbearers in glowing fashion after taking out the 2023 edition of the All-Star Mile.
“I'm still pinching myself,” said JD Hayes.
“It's a huge thrill and really having a bit of a purple patch at the moment.
“Hopefully, they can keep it going with this horse. He's just a beautiful animal.
“He wears his hear on his sleeve and he just tries so hard.”
“It was a 10 out of 10 by Luke Currie and condolences go out to Craig Williams. He put so much work into him.”
Luke Currie took full advantage of his opportunity and echoed the sentiments of JD Hayes on Craig Williams and also gave mention of their father David Hayes who he's been riding for in Hong Kong.
“He (Mr Brightside) jumped okay and landed on Alligator Blood's back and then the way the race panned out – when Daniel Moor got going the field bunched a little bit and I was able to come out on and get a clear run,” said Currie.
“Geez, when he cornered, I knew he was in for the fight, and he was too strong today.
“I have to thank him (David Hayes) and the boys here I can't thank them enough.
“Also Craig Williams, you know, I've had my falls and missed out on rides and things like that and I spoke to Craig yesterday and he was happy for me to be riding the horse and gave me info.
“I'm sure a lot of guys would struggle to do that, and not give any insight – I wish him all the best and I can't thank him enough either.”