Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni havenât reached âarch rivalâ status just yet, but Ben Hayes admits he will be satisfied if the former can square the ledger at Randwick.
The pair has run the quinella three times, Pride Of Jenni relegating Mr Brightside to second in the Cantala Stakes and All-Star Mile, while Mr Brightside won the points decision in the C F Orr Stakes.
Both had to play minor roles last start in the Australian Cup, Pride Of Jenni finishing second to Cascadian and Mr Brightside fifth.
They will again go head-to-head on Saturday, this time in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick where Hayes is hoping Mr Brightside can rise to the occasion.
âI wouldnât say arch-rivals, but weâre naturally competitive and enjoy it,â Hayes said.
âItâs good for racing, rivalries are good and theyâve raced together a couple of times.
âAt the moment she is winningâŠ.we get another opportunity to even up the score, which is currently two-one.
âItâs something the racing public should embrace.â
Mr Brightsideâs unplaced effort in the Australian Cup last start was the first time he had missed a top three finish in more than 12 months.
Hayes said the six-year-old didnât enjoy the firm ground and also felt he was ridden too close in a race made into a testing 2000-metre contest by Pride Of Jenniâs Vo Rogue-style of racing.
While he hasnât won beyond a mile, Mr Brightside went down in a photo finish to Romantic Warrior in the Cox Plate (2040m) and Hayes is confident the gelding can run out the 2000m journey on Saturday, provided he is ridden conservatively.
âWe tried different tactics last start and had him a bit closer, it probably doesnât suit him,â Hayes said.
âIn a normally run 2000 where they run along and build, heâd run it out no problem, but the way Pride Of Jenni runs her races, it probably takes away our horseâs best asset, his turn of foot, because he is chasing so far out.
âWeâve got to let him balance, get him comfortable, keep him happy and have him hit the line strongly.â
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes has become the jewel in the crown of The Championships having been won in recent years by the likes of Dundeel (2014), Winx (2017-2019) and Addeybb (2020-21).
It has again attracted a deep field with Australian Cup hero Cascadian and well performed imports Via Sistina and Place Du Carrousel joining Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the elite line up, while Australian Derby runner-up Ceolwulf will be bidding to end a 27-year drought for the three-year-olds.