The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Cox Plate-bound Mr Brightside picked-up right where he left off making history with a successful first-up title defence in the 2023 P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

2023 PB Lawrence Stakes winner Mr Brightside became the first horse in 52 years to go back-to-back in the event. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

For the first time in 52 years a horse went back-to-back in the now Group 2 $300,000 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) with Mr Brightside resuming a winner.

The six-year-old son of Bullbars continued to outrace his pedigree with big targets to come again this spring following on from his outstanding autumn.

At his two final runs of the autumn he won the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at The Valley before enjoying his second success in Sydney’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

He has now added a second P.B. Lawrence Stakes trophy to cabinet thanks to a gun ride fresh by jockey Craig Williams.

“I was very nervous,” admitted co-trainer Ben Hayes.

“But, from when he jumped he landed in a beautiful position and it was an easy watch.

“A 10/10 ride by Craig.

“(Mr Brightside) really stamped his authority today.

“Hopefully he’s improved again.”

Williams had the hot favourite in a lovely position soon after the jump with Mr Brightside getting a charmed run fourth throughout as Buffalo River and Western Empire set a quick pace up front.

With 500m left to travel Mr Brightside ($2.35F) began to creep forward  off that hot speed really knuckling in at the 250m.

He ambled up, got into the clear with 100m to go and was far too good flying home late for a nearly two-length win over the in-form Pinstriped ($6).

In a close third just a neck further back adding value to the P.B. Lawrence Stakes trifecta was the Andrew Forsman-trained Kiwi Aegon ($20).

On the Good (4) track they were racing fast mid-sectionals and Mr Brightside won in a slick time of 1 minute 21.71 seconds to break the class record.

Chasing a hot speed, Mr Brightside travelled so well and was dominant late winning like the clear favourite he was never relinquishing the lead soon after straightening.

“One of his attributes is he’s so consistent…that’s why he’s got such a terrific win record,” JD Hayes said.

“Hopefully he gives them (the owners) a few more reasons to cheer during the spring.”

There is a plethora of spring options in both Melbourne and Sydney for Mr Brightside with potential targets including the newly-renamed Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on The Everest Day (October 14th) and of course the Group $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley (October 28th).

Mr Brightside is into $6 in all-in 2023 King Charles III betting at Ladbrokes.com.au and is rated a $12 shot in pre-nomination 2023 Cox Plate betting.

The team confirmed next-up plans for Mr Brightside for a Caulfield return on September 2 in the Group 1 $750,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

“We will see how he pulls up, but the Memsie will probably be his next assignment,” Hayes confirmed.

“Maybe the Makybe Diva Stakes, but Sydney looks quite tempting with the big prize money.

“We’ll just have to see how he runs take it run by run.”

The latest all-in Memsie Stakes 2023 odds online – available in full from Ladbrokes.com.au by clicking here – have Mr Brightside as the $4.20 second elect behind the Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win ($2.80).

2023 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.