He might have had a stable-hopping journey across his brief career, but War Machine is now firmly part of the Ben, Will, and J D Hayes operation and is on track for a crack at the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 14.
The four-year-old son of Harry Angel delivered a dominant win in the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben, a performance that not only secured his first Group win and boosted his earnings by $174,000 but also handed him a ballot-exempt entry into Queensland’s premier race, the Stradbroke.
This marks War Machine’s second win from as many starts for the Hayes team, who are now the fourth stable to train the gelding. His early career was under the guidance of the late Michael Moroney, where he won three of his first five outings, including the Bendigo Guineas, defeating subsequent stakes winner Elphinstone.
He was later trained by the Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson partnership, with highlights including a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Silver Eagle. His form dipped slightly in races such as the $10 million Golden Eagle and the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes.
War Machine then had one final start for Glen Thompson as a solo trainer, running second in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington, before switching to Lindsay Park, where he has thrived.
Trainer J D Hayes was thrilled with the Doomben win, saying: “That was an unbelievable effort by the horse. We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him.”
“It looked like we’d get a beautiful run from the barrier and he’d 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 twelfth start and he’s on the way up. Extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring.”
Jockey Blake Shinn, who steered War Machine to victory in the BRC Sprint, also expressed optimism about his future.
“He’s a lovely horse. I had a little bit to do with him when Mike Moroney trained him and he did a great job nurturing him in his early days,” said Shinn. “The Hayes boys are the beneficiary of that.”
“It is great to win on him and hopefully that paves the way to the Straddy. We always thought he had Group 1 ability.”
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