Mr Brightside defied the odds again on Saturday, winning his 10th group 1 and stamping himself as the best 1600-metre horse in the country, leaving the reigning horse of the year Via Sistina in his wake.<\/p>\n
That he did it as an eight-year-old is even more astounding. He keeps getting better with age.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an absolute champion, no one can deny that now and maybe people will start respecting him, and tipping him,\u201d a delighted co-trainer Ben Hayes said.<\/p>\n
The three Hayes brothers know that life can be challenging. When they took over Lindsay Park from their hall-of-famer father David they had a mountain to climb. Mr Brightside dragged them back to the top.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so proud of him and for him to come back and win, to show how good he is, makes us so proud,\u201d Hayes said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFor J.D. and Will and I, he\u2019s the most special horse we\u2019ve ever had. We\u2019re just the frontmen, but [track rider] Ross, [strapper] Will \u2013 he means a lot to everyone and the whole team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Brightside led from start to finish, beating Chris Waller\u2019s rising star Aeliana by more than a length. Via Sistina finished third.<\/p>\n
But like all racing greats, jockey James McDonald was able to put Via Sistina\u2019s unexpected loss into perspective.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Chris Waller] is a master trainer \u2013 he knows what he\u2019s doing, he\u2019ll peak her up,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously [we would] love our time again, being outside lead or leading, but that\u2019s racing \u2013 we\u2019ll move on and win the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Robert Hickmott-trained Revelare booked a Melbourne Cup ticket by winning the group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (over 2500 metres).<\/p>\n