Ray Thomas Blackbook: Could Mr Brightside back up in Queen Elizabeth?

DUAL Doncaster Mile winner Mr Brightside could take on Anamoe and Dubai Honour in the $5 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainers Ben and JD Hayes will monitor how Mr Brightside has pulled up from his historic Doncaster win before deciding if they commit to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

"It's a little bit tempting,'' Ben Hayes said of running Mr Brightside in the Queen Elizabeth on Day Two of The Championships.

"We will see how he is over the next couple of days before making any decision.

"But it was a heavy 9 for the Doncaster and I made a point of asking Zac (Purton, jockey) how the horse felt on the line and through the line.

Trainers Ben and JD Hayes celebrate with jockey Zac Purton after Mr Brightside's second Doncaster triumph on Saturday Picture: Jeremy Ng

"Zac thought he had a hard run so there is a bit to consider. It will be either out of work (spell) or the Queen Elizabeth for the horse.''

Mr Brightside became the 10th horse to win two Doncasters and took his career earnings to over $8.2 million.

But it is a reflection of the boom times in Australian prizemoney that the gelding is only 15th on the all-time list with Winx still a clear leader after winning a world record of more than $26.4 million.

Meanwhile, Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field isn't ruling out sending Inglis Sires winner Militarize and runner-up Don Corleone to the Group 1 $600,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 15.

"I would say it is more than likely they will go to the Champagne Stakes,'' Field said. "They are staying in work and we will see how they are but if they are fit and well, there's a good chance both colts will run again this autumn.''

Group 1 Sires winner Militarize is a likely starter in the Champagne Stakes on April 15 Picture: by Jeremy Ng

Militarize gave trainer Chris Waller his ninth Group 1 win of the season in the Inglis Sires – and remarkably all with different horses.

Waller has also trained Group 1 winners Shinzo (Golden Slipper), Lindermann (Rosehill Guineas), Espiona (Coolmore Classic), Manzoice (Victoria Derby), Durston (Caulfield Cup), Madame Pommery (Thousand Guineas), Zougotcha (Flight Stakes) and No Compromise (The Metropolitan).

Meanwhile, ATC Australian Derby winner Major Beel will be spelled and set for the Melbourne Cup while the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass, which was scratched from the TJ Smith Stakes last Saturday due to the heavy track, will go first-up into the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 15,

YOU CAN BET ON IT

I Wish I Win, the sensational TJ Smith Stakes winner, made one TAB punter very happy after collecting $110,000 for a wager of $10,000 at $11.

Cylinder, the unplaced Inglis Sires favourite, drifted from $2.30 out to $2.70 but was heavily backed with bets of $10,000 at $2.45, $5,000 at $2.50 and $4,000 at $2.60.

Mr Brightside was the best-backed runner in the Doncaster Mile holding 25 per cent of all investments on the race. Some of the bets on the winners included $19,000 at $6, $5,000 at $5, $3,000 at $5.50 and $2.000 at $6.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

I Wish I Win (race 7) was simply outstanding finishing over the top of a crack field of sprinters to win the TJ Smith Stakes. A phenomenal talent which is going to be the horse to beat in The Everest.

Giga Kick (race 7) had his chance but could not withstand I Wish I Win's late charge. It's worth remembering Giga Kick is still only a three-year-old having just his eighth career start. On a drier track, he's a real chance of defending his The Everest title.

Hope In Your Heart (race 8) drew the extreme outside barrier, went back to last early and still had the majority of the Doncaster field in front of her on the turn before she ran on strongly for fourth. She will get her chance to win at Group 1 level in the Queen of the Turf Stakes next week.

Arts (race 4) made a real statement with her runaway Adrian Knox Stakes win. She was very strong at the end of 2000m and should excel when she gets to 2400m for the ATC Australian Oaks.

Pesto (race 3) didn't enjoy the easiest of runs but he finished his race off very well for fifth in Surefire's Chairman's Quality. If Pesto gets a start in the Sydney Cup, he is a definite lightweight chance.

CRUNCH TIME

I Wish I Win (race 7) produced a stunning burst to come from near last at the 600m and storm home to win, nearly breaking 35s for that sectional despite the heavy 9 track rating.

Arts (race 4) accelerated brilliantly in the straight to win by more than four lengths, sprinting her final 600m in 36.58s and his 200m closing sectional in 12.41s. Her 600m and 200m splits were nearly a second faster than anything else in the race.

Hope In Your Heart (race 8) endured a wide run but she finished strongly for fourth, running her final 600m in 35.93s, easily the fastest sectional of the Doncaster Mile.

Magic Time (race 10) unleashed a barnstorming run to win, sprinting her final 600m in 36.39s to score a dominant win. The only other horse in the field to break 37s for the closing split was Opal Ridge in 36.58s.

TURF TALK

"To win the Derby is a huge thrill, I couldn't describe it to you. This was the one race that was missing. Dad won this race nine times and he won 34 Derbies in total, there has never been a trainer like him and there never will,'' said Gai Waterhouse, trainer of Major Beel.

Group 1 Derby hero Major Beel Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

"I said this 10 years ago, and probably 12 years ago, it's always special winning this race because as a 15-year-old I arrived in Bowral Street, Kensington at the master's stables, T J Smith,'' said trainer Peter Moody.

"It was a super effort, he (Giga Kick) has gone great but was beaten by a freak (I Wish I Win),'' said trainer Clayton Gallagher.

"There is no suggestion the horse is calling for retirement but Nature Strip comes first, he will tell us where he is at. He has looked after us so we will look after him,'' said trainer Chris Waller.

"They (Ben and JD) might even be better than their father. He's (David) very proud of the way they're going and obviously they had a great master, he taught them everything they know,'' said Zac Purton, rider of Mr Brightside.

"Great to have Joao (Moreira) here. It's been obvious to see the way the public perceive him, he's a real rock star,'' said trainer Chris Waller after Moreira won on Militarize.

STEWARDS SAY

Five jockeys were suspended for excessive whip use or careless riding – Joao Moreira (9-15 April, whip on Surefire) Ellen Hennessy (11-25 April, whip on I've Bean Tryin'), Ben Melham(9-20 April, two careless riding charges on In Secret and Ojai), Ryan Maloney (11-16 April careless riding on Williamsburg), Tyler Schiller (9-16 April, careless riding on Opal Ridge).

Giga Kick (race 7) was bumped by Lofty Strike on jumping. Shortly after the start he raced in restricted room and became unbalanced momentarily when crowded for room between Lofty Strike and Rocketing By, which was taken out by Nature Strip. After being taken in by In Secret near the 600m, he became unbalanced for some distance due to pressure on its hindquarter from Shelby Sixtysix, which was racing to its inside.

Cylinder (race 6) began awkwardly and then was bumped by Disneck, which shifted in. When questioned James McDonald stated that his mount was never comfortable on the heavy track, settled further back in the field than intended and, consequently, did not close off as expected.

Talbragar (race 5) raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Sir Ravanelli (race 5) did not muster sufficient speed to be prominently placed. Sir Ravanelli lost a plate in the early stages and did not appear to stretch out comfortably from the 800m. A post-race veterinary examination confirmed that the gelding had lost its near-fore plate and had sustained a small laceration to the medial off-fore cannon.

RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY

RUN OF THE DAY

How can you go past this excitement machine I Wish I Win. To do what he did from where he had to come from on the day was just exceptional. He is a proper horse.

FORGET THEY RAN

On a day where we got an unexpected heavy track the form should be treated with caution.

Be forgiving for anything that failed with no noted wet track form.

ONE TO FOLLOW

Sumatra was first-up off a bleeding attack and couldn't keep up with the speed of the race early.

I don't mind the way she worked home with improvement to come. Watch out for her next time over a little further, she is a big improver.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Zac Purton may have had the perfect draw to get the right run on paper on Mr Brightside and that's exactly what he did. Purton just kept his cool and left enough in the tank to fight off the challengers late. It was a very cool ride.

NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD

What's on in NSW racing this week:

Monday: Grafton

Tuesday: Kembla Grange, Tamworth

Wednesday: Hawkesbury

Thursday: Wyong

Friday: Good Friday

Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Port Macquarie