Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is set to be a big improver in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, despite drawing the extreme outside barrier for the A$5 million feature on Tuesday morning.
Hayes said after Mr Brightside drew 11 of 11 runners that the keys to an improved performance from the horse will be the prospect of a softer track at Randwick and the firm knowledge of how the race is likely to pan out.
“He has hasn’t had much luck with those wide draws but with this track, to ride him cold isn’t bad,” Hayes told Sky Thoroughbred Racing moments after the draw.
“He won a Doncaster from a wide draw, his first one, and we’ll just let him balance and we’ll see him hit the line really strong.
“There is no pressure at all. We know it will be a fast-run race and he’ll really enjoy a bit of give in the track.
“The Good (3) in the Australian Cup, he felt the ground a little bit, so a bit of give in the track, expect improvement from him.
“He actually hasn’t been on a Soft track since he won the Doncaster.
“We’re really happy with him. He just felt the track a bit and we really monitored him and had a good chat with the whole team and the way he came out of it, there are no problems.
“His work yesterday at the farm was excellent. He’s bright and happy.”
There were 11 final acceptors for Sydney’s premier weight-for-age race, with last week’s Australian Derby runner-up Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tarzino) set to back-up against the older horses.
Imported mare Via Sistina (barrier five) is a hot favourite for the race off the back of her impressive win in her Australian debut in the G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) last month.
