Trainer Ben Hayes is looking for the last pieces of the puzzle for to fall into place for Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in his bid to win the Gr.1 Cox Plate on Saturday.

“Everything has set up perfectly for him. What he needs now is rain and a barrier and if he gets them I couldn’t be happier,” Hayes said.

“He’ll be back at The Valley, which he loves, and he’s looking for the 2000 metres,” the co-trainer said.

Mr Brightside has had four starts at Moonee Valley for three wins, including the 2023 All-Star Mile and the 2022 Gr.2 Feehan Stakes. His only failure came in last year’s Cox Plate, when he finished seventh.

Hayes said Mr Brightside returned to Lindsay Park, at Euroa, straight after his last start when he finished second to Fangirl in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

“We are very happy with him. He pulled up out of the race very well and he worked well this morning,” Hayes said on Saturday.

“We are right on track. He will do his final piece of work on Tuesday at the farm and then head down to Flemington on Thursday.”

Hayes said although Mr Brightside’s effort to finish second behind Fangirl was meritorious, he wasn’t suited by the firm track at Randwick.

It was his first defeat this campaign after chalking up five straight wins prior.

Mr Brightside has drifted to $9 to win the Cox Plate.