Team Hayes‘ brilliant miler Mr Brightside was back to his best and back to winning form picking up his eighth Group 1 success with a big late run to salute in the Champions Mile 2024 results at Flemington on Stakes Day.

It was an incredible field of elite racehorses gathered for this year’s Group 1 $3 million Champions Mile (1600m) with Mr Brightside – 3rd in 2022 and 2nd in 2023 – finally getting home first in a sensational performance by the now seven-year-old son of Bullbars.

“He’s just been so consistent this preparation. Today he just landed in a good spot,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Channel 9.

“He flew the gates. And I’m shaking. He’s such a special horse to us.

“I was hoping he could get that gap, and he got it, and he was so strong through the line. Super effort.

“Well done to all at Lindsay Park, all the owners. He’s taken us on the most amazing ride, so I can’t believe it.

“He’s never run a bad race for us. He’s an absolute gentleman. I’m just so proud and so happy for Craig and everyone involved. I’m fully shaking.

“We will (party). The Brightside owners love a good party, so it will be good fun.”

In his first victory since the Makybe Diva Stakes at the same track and trip in the wet back in mid-September, Mr B won back the love of the punters driving through to get the gap when needed and deny Tony Gollan‘s Toorak Handicap winning Queenslander Antino victory.

The always-honest Chris Waller-trained multiple Group 1 winning mare Fangirl was also good late in the outside pack getting up to run third and complete the Champions Mile trifecta.

Mr Brightside franked the form out of this year’s Cox Plate having run fourth in that lead-up behind Waller’s eight-length winner Via Sistina.

He relished coming back to his pet 1600m distance at Flemington for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and was given a perfectly timed ride by Craig Williams who has now ridden three of the past seven Champions Mile winners.

“He’s had a great preparation. He won the Makybe Diva Stakes here. The Grand Final was the Cox Plate, he ran fourth but ran a phenomenal race,” Williams said.

“They’ve come here today for the Champions Mile, with all these horses, they’ve gone for blinkers for the first time, and he was the right product today.

“So, credit to all their team. And of course, Mr B, he’s got no BS in him and he’s just a real competitor.

“He did all the running and fighting today. Thanks buddy!”

Williams had Mr Brightside settled midfield throughout as Pride Of Jenni led the Champions Mile field around before they tightened up late for an exciting finish.

Amelia’s Jewel briefly hit the front looking the potential winner with a furlong to go before Mr Brightside drove through on her inside and won.

Antino made up all the late ground for second having been last until the home turn.

The $4.80 favourite and defending champion, Pride Of Jenni, meanwhile faded out to finish a clear last in a disappointing performance.

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