HAYES UNDER NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE TASK FACING MR BRIGHTSIDE, BUT HE REMAINS QUIETLY CONFIDENT

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 24, 2025

Ben Hayes respects the opposition in the FWD Hong Kong Mile

Ben Hayes is under no illusions about challenge involved in travelling a horse from Australia to Hong Kong, especially to compete in the Group 1 race worth HK$24 million.

The question is … can Mr. Brightside become the first Australian horse since Chautauqua to post a victory on an International race-day? (Chautauqua won the Chairman’s Sprint (Group 1) in 2016 with Tommy Berry in the saddle).

Voyage Bubble, the local horse trained by Ricky Yiu and to be ridden by James McDonald, is clearly the horse to beat. The six-year-old gelding has won his past four starts, the last three at Group 1 level. In each of these wins McDonald has piloted Voyage Bubble to success.

“He is a very good horse, Voyage Bubble, and we really respect him but there are a few other nice horses in the race,” observed Ben Hayes.

“Royal Patronage has arrived and settled in well – I get to see him all the time and he looks well”.
(Royal Patronage from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable is stabled with Mr Brightside).

When speaking about his horse Hayes was confident enough.

“Mr. Brightside has a great record at the mile, and he has won nine Group 1 races for a reason. He is a horse that never lets us down. He is always in the finish, and we think that he has a top three winning chance,” offered Hayes.

“I know this track is a very good draining track. A little bit of give in the track will be good for our horse. We just need a little bit of racing luck now”.

Mr. Brightside drew barrier 2 at the barrier draw held at Sha Tin racecourse on Thursday morning. Come Sunday – can Mr Brightside break the Australian racing break the drought in Hong Kong?

Time will tell – but Mr. Brightside is showing a great liking to the Sha Tin track and the facilities and that is a huge plus.

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