Can Mr B take out the star-studded Memsie? Will Hayes provides update

Mr Brightside is back!

This will be the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained star’s first run back since the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) last spring.

The nine-year-old did not compete in the Autumn Racing Carnival after a routine check found a small bone chip in his left-fore fetlock in December of 2025.

But now, the son of Bullbars is back for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday – a race distance which suits Mr Brightside, considering he has finished inside the top three runners in 13 out of his 15 runs at the distance.

However, the Memsie field is stacked with Group 1 winners. In fact, nine of the 12 runners have won Group 1s. Something which may cause problems for the gelding.

Speaking on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, co-trainer Will Hayes admitted that this field is “star-studded”, and barrier nine may make it difficult for Mr Brightside.

But with that being said, Hayes exclaimed that the horse is heading into this first-up run after a long lay off as “best” as they can have him.

“Looking forward to his first run for the spring… It's certainly a star-studded field,” Hayes started.

“By no means is any Group 1 easy, but this one in particular has come up quite hot.

“I think he's going as best as we can have him for a first-up assignment after so long off the scene. If he wins, it'll probably cement the superstar that he is.

“But as always from barrier nine, we'll have our task. We'd also love the track to be a little bit firmer for a first-up assignment after so much time off, but he's pretty versatile.”

When asked what a pass mark would be for the champion, Hayes stated he would like the brown to finish within three lengths of the winner.

“For me personally, I'd love him to finish within three lengths,” admitted Hayes.

“That's a pretty high benchmark, to be fair, because it's very dependent on the run we get from the barrier.”

Looking ahead into the rest of the spring, the co-trainer admitted that they are still unsure what races Mr Brightside will target moving forward.

Suggesting the team will need to wait for where his opponents go first before making a decision.

“It's actually an incredible array of options after this first assignment,” said Hayes.

“So not only is it going to be based off how he pulls up himself, but also a little bit where the opposition are going.

“There's a lot of tactics now. I'd love to be able to steer everyone in the right direction, but at the moment it truly is a blank canvas.”

Mr Brightside is currently $10 with Sportsbet to win the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, while Jimmysstar is the $4.40 favourite.

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