Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni are set to face off again in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have decided to tackle three opponents in the Group 2 race over 1600m at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
J D Hayes said the decision to run was made as Friday night’s race fits in best with their intention of heading to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26.
The Hayes brothers are after redemption in the Cox Plate having been beaten by Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in last year’s edition.
“We’re definitely going to take our place,” J D Hayes said of Friday night’s clash with Pride Of Jenni.
“It just fits into what could possibly be his next run better. It keeps a lot more options open, staying at the mile for one more.”
Options for Mr Brightside after Friday night include the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield or the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, both on October 12, as the lead-up to the Cox Plate while the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick a week later also remains as a possibility.
Mr Brightside will renew hostilities with Pride Of Jenni on Friday night, having beaten the mare in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14.
Hayes said having just three opponents will make for a tactical contest, one he is sure jockey Craig Williams will be well up to the task for.
“I think a small field suits us better because we won’t have to make too wide a run around them if something does want to give us a cart up to her,” Hayes said.
“That would be highly appreciated, but I doubt Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will do that again.
“We’ve got a very good tactical jockey on board, Craig Williams. I’m sure he’ll have a plan A, B, C, D and E ready to go.
“Our job’s done. The horse is very well. He’s trained on nicely from the Makybe and we’re really happy to run at The Valley tomorrow.”
Mr Brightside has an emphatic record at The Valley, winning three times from five starts and one second, with his one ‘miss’ being in the 2022 Cox Plate when finishing seventh.
Pride Of Jenni has raced only once at The Valley, at the same meeting last year where she adopted her ‘catch me if you can’ tactics and was run down late by Amelia’s Jewel.
“Jenni’s going to do her thing and bowl out in front, so it’s just going to be how we time our run,” Hayes said.
“If Mr Brightside’s within four lengths, 400 metres from home, I’d back him in to reel in just about any horse in the country.
“Admittedly, she is probably the hardest horse to reel in, and she’s very good around The Valley.
“She nearly knocked off Amelia’s Jewel there, this time last year, and that’s when she really springboarded herself into stardom.
“It’s going to be so interesting to watch.”
