Photo: Grant Peters
Hot favourite War Machine (Harry Angel) made light work of his rivals in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and it is now all systems go as the four-year-old heads towards the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.
Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the New Zealand bred galloper is a recent addition to the Lindsay Park team, having transferred from the stable of the late the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson.
A last-start Caulfield winner from his new quarters, War Machine made it two from two for the Hayes team as he cruised to victory under Blake Shinn defeating Far Too Easy and Kiwi raider Pier.
“That was an unbelievable effort by the horse,” JD Hayes said.
“We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him and he’s gone from strength-to-strength.
“It looked like we’d get a beautiful fun from the barrier and he’s let down well, which he did.
“He had his ears pricked on the line and we’re really looking forward to the Stradbroke.
“He’s a lovely calm animal and a real professional. That was only his 12th start and he’s on the way up. We’re extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring.
“He’s got a lovely racing style and in these colours - Rupert Legh - who is a big supporter of the stable and he’s drawing comparisons to a horse that dad trained called Eagle Falls to win an Oakleigh Plate.
“We couldn’t be happier with how everything has panned out.”
Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions.
By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase.
With five victories and four placings from 12 starts, War Machine has amassed A$680,010 in prizemoney to date and he is $5 favourite for the A$3 million Stradbroke.
War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold to clients of the Hayes team.
