Injured Williams delivers strategy to help Currie win All-Star Mile on Mr Brightside

“Condolences go out to Craig,” Hayes said. “He did such a good effort getting this horse ready and unfortunately one thing led to another, but that was a 10 out 10 steer from Luke Currie.”

“That was a 10 out 10 steer from Luke Currie.”

JD Hayes

Asked how Currie secured the ride, Hayes said having his father, David, in Hong Kong helped.

“The old man lives three floors up in Hong Kong, so it was pretty easy, we just asked him to knock on the door,” Hayes laughed. “It was very close between him and Harry Coffey, but he rode that an absolute peach and was so confident going into it.”

The victory for Ben and JD Hayes reinforced their form, a month after the pair won the Blue Diamond Stakes with Little Brose in the same silks.

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Mr Brightside’s record among Australia’s top weight-for-age milers is now unquestioned, given his All-Star Mile triumph adds to a Doncaster Mile and group 1 placings in the Champions Mile and Futurity Stakes. He finished fourth in the race last year at Flemington, but thrived around The Valley, swooping over the top of those who tired in the high-pressure race.

He will next return to Sydney to try and defend his Doncaster title.

“He’ll put himself in an elite bracket [if he can win another Doncaster], but he’s already in an elite bracket in my heart,” Hayes said.

Cascadian and The Inevitable climbed late into the placings, but never threatened the winner.

Stewards took a look at some interference caused at the 500-metre mark when rank outsider Keats was fading on the pace, but ultimately took no action.

Earlier, Florescent Star was euthanised after she fell in the race before the All-Star Mile. Jockey Teo Nugent was taken to hospital following the fall, but was conscious and communicating with medical staff and was moving all his limbs. The All-Star Mile was delayed by 40 minutes.