Mr Brightside all class in Diva

Mr Brightside has added yet another Group 1 to his rapidly growing CV, taking out the Makybe Diva Stakes with ease.

It was a result that was put on the wall early in the race, as the Lindsay Park flag-bearer jumped well and was put in a perfect one-one spot by Craig Williams.

The pair trucked into the race as though it were a trial, ambling up to Alligator Blood and quickly upping the tempo.

Alligator Blood ($3.90) fought gallantly, but was no match for the $1.70 marvel, nor was the chasing Osipenko ($16) who ran an eye-catching third after being held up on the fence.

Such was Mr Brightside’s dominance, a look at the head on replay shows that Williams didn’t touch the whip once, simply shaking the reins to urge the horse along.

It was a composed ride, especially from a hoop who just a day earlier had been subject to one of the most high-profile jockey sackings in recent memory.

Williams was delighted but typically humble post-race, giving all credit to the freakishly talented gelding and his trainers, Ben, Will and JD Hayes.

“I feel on top of the world, I’ve been really fortunate to be part of this horse’s journey,” he said.

“The only reason this horse is where he is, and I’m getting interviewed now, is because of this horse and the young training partnership … they’re amazing horseman and great people.

“If a jockey could ever give back his riding fee because the ride was that easy, that would’ve been one of those days in a Group 1,” he joked.

“I could hear The Killer’s tune ‘Mr Brightside’ in my head for the last 200 metres because he was pretty dominant today.

“There’s still growth and development in him which is really scary for his opposition.”

Ben Hayes praised his horse’s continued ability to adapt, having endured very different runs in the P.B. Lawrence, Memsie and Makybe Diva Stakes, but still winning all three.

“He was a superstar today,” Hayes said. “Craig (Williams) just let the race unfold and we ended up in the one-one, which we thought was a possibility.”

“He followed Waller’s horse (Princess Grace) into the bend and travelled so strongly, it was quite an easy look.”

“I just have to say thank you to the whole team at Lindsay Park … everyone at Euroa, Flemington, it’s a big team effort.

“Big thank you and a 10 out of 10 for Craig, he rode that beautifully.”

Hayes said it was a special thrill to see Mr Brightside perform at the highest stage on his home track but revealed that Sydney was the likely next step en-route to the Cox Plate.

“Flemington is the number one track in Australia. To have a horse of his quality be able to win and win as he did … it’s really exciting for us,” he said.

“I think he really stamped his authority again today, and he’s definitely the horse to catch now.

“We are leaning towards Sydney and The King Charles – he’s undefeated over a mile at weight-for-age, and he’s just won here today very impressively.

“That’s two weeks until the Cox Plate, which I think will be pretty good for him.”

WATCH: The Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington