Lindsay Park trainers Ben and JD Hayes are back at Sandown chasing a Group One win having thought they had won a race at the top level two weeks ago.
The Hayes brothers were left gutted when Gentleman Roy (So You Think) had the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes at Sandown on February 11 taken off them following a protest from second across the line, Jacquinot (Rubick).
Gentleman Roy and stablemate Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), who finished fifth in the Orr Stakes, were both to run in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday looking to turn around Lindsay Park’s fortunes, but Mr Brightside will be the stable’s sole representative.
In a further twist for the Hayes brothers, an untimely foot abscess ruled Gentleman Roy out of Saturday’s contest, although they remain confident the gelding will be right to contest the Gr.3 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday week.
Both Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy are in the hunt for a berth in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 18 with the Futurity and Blamey winners guaranteed a start.
With four days remaining until voting closes, Mr Brightside sits fifth on the public vote while Gentleman Roy is outside the top 10 in 13th spot.
In his first-up run in the Orr Stakes, Mr Brightside was forced to go back from his outside draw, but with a better barrier on Saturday, Ben Hayes is expecting the gelding to take a more prominent position.
“He has come beautifully from the first-up run,” Hayes said.
“We didn’t want him to have a gut-buster first-up, so we had to go back, but he ran the fastest sectionals for the meeting.
“Second-up last prep he led and won by five lengths, so from the better draw he should be a lot closer.”
Mr Brightside won his first two starts last campaign, scoring in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield before jumping to 1600m to win the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Hayes said he does not see staying at 1400m being a problem on Saturday.
“He’s got an electric turn of foot, but after this he’ll be looking for the mile,” Hayes said.
“There are some good horses in the race, and I respect them all, but he’s taken the next step this prep.”
