Mr Brightside has taken his Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes on the ride of a lifetime as he has for strapper Will Evans.
About to embark on his third start in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, Evans has been his constant companion.
Evans became Mr Brightside’s strapper when the gelding won at Geelong in July 2021, and apart from trips interstate, he has been the one who has looked after the now seven-year-old on race day ever since.
Strappers don’t usually get media attention, that is the domain of trainer and jockey, but Evans is well known in media circles for his role, not only with Mr Brightside, but with Lindsay Park as a regular stable representative on race day at country meetings.
Evans is the son of former race caller Craig Evans and loves his racing, but it’s the animal he cares about most.
Mr Brightside and Evans are now into their fourth year together and Evans has shared in both the horse’s highs and lows.
It took Evans a while to get over last year’s Cox Plate defeat at the hands of Romantic Warrior.
“That was pretty hard to swallow, and it took a while to watch the replay,” Evans said.
“But you have to be super proud of him running against possibly the best horse in the world at that moment in time.
“We saw what Romantic Warrior did after that, going back to Hong Kong and on to Japan, to get so close, was tough, but also super proud.”
Evans said redemption for last year’s narrow defeat would not only be felt by him personally, but the entire Lindsay Park team who will also have Evaporate in Saturday’s line-up.
“There are not too many times in sport where you get redemption, so it’s pretty exciting for the whole team, especially having two runners in the race,” Evans said.
“It’s exciting for the boys, who are still young, and for it to happen so quickly would be amazing.
“It’s gone quick the last three years and it’s been an amazing ride. He’s taken me to the best races in Melbourne and this will be his third Cox Plate this week.
“That’s the pinnacle of racing in Australia, so it’s very exciting.”