Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) haven’t reached ‘arch rival’ status just yet, but Ben Hayes admits he will be satisfied if the former can square the ledger at Randwick.
The pair has run the quinella three times, Pride Of Jenni relegating Mr Brightside to second in the Cantala Stakes and All-Star Mile, while Mr Brightside won the points decision in the C F Orr Stakes.
Both had to play minor roles last start in the Australian Cup, Pride Of Jenni finishing second to Cascadian (New Approach) and Mr Brightside fifth.
They will again go head-to-head on Saturday, this time in the A$5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick where Hayes is hoping Mr Brightside can rise to the occasion.
“I wouldn’t say arch-rivals, but we’re naturally competitive and enjoy it,” Hayes said.
“It’s good for racing, rivalries are good and they’ve raced together a couple of times.
“At the moment she is winning….we get another opportunity to even up the score, which is currently two-one.
“It’s something the racing public should embrace.”
Mr Brightside’s unplaced effort in the Australian Cup last start was the first time he had missed a top three finish in more than 12 months.
Hayes said the six-year-old didn’t enjoy the firm ground and also felt he was ridden too close in a race made into a testing 2000-metre contest by Pride Of Jenni’s Vo Rogue-style of racing.
While he hasn’t won beyond a mile, Mr Brightside went down in a photo finish to Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in the Cox Plate (2040m) and Hayes is confident the gelding can run out the 2000m journey on Saturday, provided he is ridden conservatively.
“We tried different tactics last start and had him a bit closer, it probably doesn’t suit him,” Hayes said.
“In a normally run 2000 where they run along and build, he’d run it out no problem, but the way Pride Of Jenni runs her races, it probably takes away our horse’s best asset, his turn of foot, because he is chasing so far out.
“We’ve got to let him balance, get him comfortable, keep him happy and have him hit the line strongly.”
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes has become the jewel in the crown of The Championships having been won in recent years by the likes of Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral) (2014), Winx (NZ) (Street Cry) (2017-2019) and Addeybb (Pivotal) (2020-21).
It has again attracted a deep field with Australian Cup hero Cascadian and well performed imports Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Place Du Carrousel (Lope De Vega) joining Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the elite line up, while Australian Derby runner-up Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) will be bidding to end a 27-year drought for the three-year-olds.
