Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy have been stable stalwarts for Lindsay Park since the days when David Hayes left for his return to Hong Kong.
When Ben and J D Hayes took over at the helm of Lindsay Park before Will joined the training ticket at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, horse numbers were on the decline.
Some canny placement, not aiming too high, too early, led to Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy racing through their grades and eventually onto a higher level.
Mr Brightside has been a six-time Group 1 winner for Lindsay Park while Gentleman Roy was arguably cruelly robbed of success at the highest when related on protest.
They meet on Saturday in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, the first Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, where they will be pitted against Pride Of Jenni.
Ben Hayes is banking on race fitness proving the key for eight-year-old Gentleman Roy while the stable will be hoping the fighting qualities of Mr Brightside can shine through.
Hayes said Gentleman Roy deserves his shot at the Group 1 feature having won the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) last start, a race Mr Brightside won last year on his way to Memsie glory.
“It will be the sixth run for the prep, and he won the traditional lead-up which the winner usually comes through,” Hayes said.
“He’s done everything right and is arguably in career best form.
“His last two runs have probably been the two best ones he has put in. He is a Group 1 weight-for-age winner, but unfortunately, he got that taken off him and he did beat Mr Brightside that day.
“He won’t be able to dictate, but he hasn’t been able to dictate at his last two starts. He’ll be just behind the speed and give a good kick in the straight.”
Hayes said Gentleman Roy will not let Pride Of Jenni get out of his sights, as like the Ciaron Maher -trained mare, he is a free going individual.
“He’s always up on pace and he’s a free goer, that’s his race style as well and when he runs best,” Hayes said.
“If it was a slow tempo, it wouldn’t suit him, he’s got no turn of foot.
“They’re similar horses, but Pride Of Jenni is an exception as she can do it for longer over further, but at 1400 metres, this guy has ability.”
The Hayes brothers have taken a different route into this year’s Memsie, racing first-up.
Hayes explained they decided after an arduous spring and autumn campaign to give Mr Brightside some extra time in the paddock.
“We feel comfortable with the program he has had. We know him very well,” Hayes said.
“We did think about the Lawrence, but we wanted to give him a longer break.
“He had 11 starts last preparation through the whole season and he just needed time to have his shoes off, let his feet grow and let him be a horse for a bit.
“He’s done everything for us, and he deserved an extra couple of weeks.”
Hayes said ideally, he and his brothers would like a little rain ahead of Saturday’s race, for both Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy who are getting on in years.
A field of eight is set to tackle the Memsie Stakes on Saturday.
Mr Brightside drew in barrier four with Gentleman Roy out in gate eight while Pride Of Jenni will jump from barrier seven.
