Australia: Mr Brightside favored to keep winning streak alive in Bet With Mates Cup at Ballarat

Mr Brightside, a 4-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, has compiled a five-racing winning streak since mid-July that gives him the role of favorite in Sunday’s $146,000 Bet With Mates Cup at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia.

Aside from the wins, there have been several consistencies through the streak. All the races have been between seven furlongs and about a mile. Craig Williams has ridden Mr Brightside each time, often taking the role of stalker.

The experience is vital for success in the Bet With Mates Cup, a listed-class race previously known as the Seymour Cup.

Mr Brightside drew the inside in a big field of 12, which will require Williams to find a tactical trip on the left-handed course. Mile races on turf at Ballarat start from a backstretch chute.

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Mr Brightside, trained by Ben and J.D. Hayes, was the 3-2 favorite in early betting on Friday. The Bet With Mates Cup is the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at 9:40 p.m. Eastern, or 6:40 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Winning Partner, winner of the Balaklava Cup at a mile in 2020 and again last month in his most recent start, has an excellent chance from off the pace.

Winning Partner will carry 121 pounds, slightly more than Mr Brightside at 119.

The 132-pound topweight is Harbour Views, a 7-year-old French-bred gelding who won the listed Tontonan Stakes at seven furlongs at Flemington Racecourse on Sept. 11 and was third by 3 1/4 lengths to the well-regarded gelding Elephant in the Group 3 Sand Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Sept. 25.

Skyman, second in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Sandown on Sept. 25, and Mystery Shot, third in the Headquarters Stakes at seven furlongs at Flemington on Oct. 2, have attractive form. Both tend to race from off the pace which should create a fascinating stretch run against a red-hot Mr Brightside.