Mr. Brightside eying big Cox Plate performance after previous misses

Top sprinter Mr. Brightside is out to right the wrongs of last year’s disappointing Cox Plate run, says jockey Craig Williams. The seven-year-old gelding narrowly lost the 2023 race to Romantic Warrior.

It was one of the most exciting races of the last racing season, ending in a photo finish with Romantic Warrior the winner by just a nose.

The betting sites have Mr. Brightside as one of the 2024 Cox Plate favourites, but he will have a lot of work to do to upset the odds and actually win the $5 million race.

Top jockey talks Cox Plate

You would be hard pressed to find a jockey with a better connection to one horse than the connection Craig Williams has with Mr. Brightside. The jockey has ridden Mr. Brightside in all but four of his career starts and in all but two of his career victories. Williams has won six Group 1 races riding the star gelding.

Williams will also ride Mr. Brightside at the upcoming Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on 26 October. In the build-up to that race, Williams told media that Mr. Brightside is roaring to go.

“The horse is flying, and he’s even seasoned up again with another 12 months under his belt,” Williams said.

“He was quite bullish about himself, and his action was great, his attitude says he wants to get on with it and he might have a special affinity with this track too.”

Mr. Brightside has raced at Moonee Valley once so far this season, when he finished second in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes.

Mr. Brightside gets familiar barrier draw

Mr. Brightside was drawn into barrier two. This is the same starting position the gelding had last year when he finished second to Romantic Warrior.

Williams had mixed feelings on the draw saying: “I won from a wide one the other day, I’ve won the Melbourne from out wide and the Caulfield Cup from out wide also, but I always prefer inside as it feels it makes my job easier, but he’s got to do the running.”

“My wife says not to ever complain about barrier draws,” Williams added.

Jockey praises top horse

In addition to talking about Mr. Brightside’s Cox Plate chances, Williams also took time to praise the star gelding and the work of Ben, JD, and Will Hayes.

“Every jockey dreams of being associated with a horse, a stable, and that’s something for an individual that doesn’t come around very often,” Williams said.

“If you’re lucky enough, and I am, with a few horses, there is no greater joy than seeing them develop and do well.

“That’s why I’ve been fortunate to be a part of Mr Brightside’s development and then being on this journey with his huge success, but I guess you don’t get one without the other.”