Is Mr Brightside incredible value for the Memsie Stakes?

Connor Scanlon  •  August 26th, 2025 3:10 pm
Is Mr Brightside incredible value for the Memsie Stakes?
The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday is shaping up to be “the best we've seen in 100 years”.
With Mr Brightside, Another Wil, Fangirl, Antino, Treasurethe Moment, Tom Kitten and Buckaroo all headlining the Group 1, one of the big conversation revolves around how the eight-year-old superstar 'Mr B' will perform.
This will be Mr Brightside's first run since returning to Australia from Hong Kong, where he finished at the rear of the field in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in April.
While Mr Brightside has won nine Group 1 races in his stellar career to date, SENTrack's Gareth Hall believes the gelding's time at the top may be in question.

“This might be a little bit harsh, but I think Mr Brightside (is slowing),” he said on Giddy Up.
It prompted questions from trainer Wayne Hawkes.
Hawkes: “Are you saying he's gonna run good or not?”
Hall: “Well, I hope he does (run well).”
Hawkes: “No, what are you saying?”
Hall: “I'm just saying that he's a year older.
“It didn't go to plan in Hong Kong, and 1400 metres is his wheelhouse.
“It'll be interesting to see how he comes back, the old champ.”
While Hall isn’t brimming with confidence around Mr Brightside, he does believe that Lindsay Park's stalwart presents decent value at its price of $6 (as of Tuesday morning).
“Another Wil $4, Fangirl $4,” Hall revealed.
“(Mr Brightside) should get a rain affected track, which he doesn't usually get, but he’s at $6-7.
“If you think he's ready to go, you back him at (that price) don't you?”
Prominent owner John O’Neill agreed with Hall, but thinks multiple horses could win the race.
“I certainly do,” O’Neill exclaimed.
“So, that's gonna be some type of race, but I think Another Wil, Fangirl, Antino, and Mr Brightside (are all chances).
“Treasurethe Moment's airborne, did you see his stroll the other day?
“I don't think Tom Kitten can beat them first-up.”
Agreeing with O’Neill, Hall admitted that the set up of the race could be perfect for Mr Brightside.
“It's a good setup for (Mr Brightside) because Another Wil can go forward,” Hall said.
“Fangirl will be out the back, Antino will probably be out the back, Tom Kitten out the back.
“Mr Brightside can be forward. There's not too much pace.”
Hawkes couldn’t agree though, purely due to the failed Hong Kong trip taking too much out of the superstar.
“I reckon going to Hong Kong, that will have taken a bit out of him,” Hawkes said.
“They might still work good, but eventually, geez, they all have to come to an end.
“I reckon his best is behind him.”
When Hawkes was asked if Mr Brightside will win a Group 1 at all this preparation, he admitted that all good things must come to an end.
“I reckon no, if you had a gun at my head,” Hawkes admitted.
“Only because of his age, and he's gone to Hong Kong and came back.
“Eventually, you know what? Nature Strip stopped.
“They all stop eventually.”
While Hawkes doesn’t have much faith in Mr Brightside winning the Memsie Stakes, he has full confidence that this edition of the Group 1 could be the best in the last century.
“If all these horses on Saturday run to their best, this will be the best Memsie we've seen in 100 years,” admitted Hawkes.

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