STAR galloper Mr Brightside has a lot in his favour as he attempts to become the first horse in 67 years to win the Group 1 Makybe Diva in successive years at Flemington on Saturday.
The last horse to achieve the feat was Sailors Guide in 1956 and 1957 who put together back-to-back wins in the race which was then known as the Craiglee Stakes.
Hayes said that Mr Brightside had taken improvement from his first-up second in the Memsie Stakes.
“Going into the Memsie he wasn’t screwed down to win which everyone could see as he had a hairy coat and he was little bit fat internally. He’s improved again in the coat and he’s tightened up,” Hayes said on RSN.
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“His final piece of work on Tuesday was great and we’re very happy with him. He’ll run well.”
Hayes said Mr Brightside was likely to again be the horse sitting behind Pride Of Jenni and having the task to bring the field up to her.
“That’s Pride Of Jenni’s racing style. She has to bounce back but good horses do that. At a mile if we’re close enough we have the turn of foot to catch her.”
Hayes expected Via Sistina to be following Mr Brightside in the run.
“She’s super impressive. She’s the main danger as her win in Sydney was fantastic. She’ll have the sit on us but we’re very good at a mile.”
PlayUp has Via Sistina as a $2.35 favourite with Mr Brightside as a $3 second favourite. Pride Of Jenni is $6.50.
FLEMINGTON BEST BET
POSITIVITY (R10, No.11)
Just went down to the in-form Rise At Dawn when she resumed from a spell. She had the race won but the race fit galloper kicked back to beat her. It was a great return to racing and she will striop fitter. She’s one from one second-up and she looks well weighted in a race where Damian Lane should give her a great run off the speed. She’s drawn out a little which at the end of a busy day could prove to be the place to be. She’s being aimed at big races so this looks ideal.
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