War Machine did not run up to expectations in The Everest, but Ben Hayes has urged punters to stick with the explosive gelding.
The Group 1 winner gets the chance to get his spring campaign back on track in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick.
The 1300-metre event will be War Machine’s first start since The Everest, in which he clocked in 10th, which was only second run of the campaign and Hayes would like to think he has much more to achieve this campaign.
“He sprinted really well fresh and then got a bit crowded and a bit further back than we wanted in the Everest and then he was good through the line,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said.
“The 1300 is right up his alley and he’ll now be third-up and ready to go and he’ll go really well.
“We go to the Russell Balding and then we’ve got the Orr Stakes on the 15th (of November) and that’s probably been his Grand Final race for the spring.”
War Machine’s only start this spring before The Everest was a brilliant win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4.
He landed a maiden Group 1 success in the 1400m Stradbroke Handicap at his previous start, on June 14.
The son of Harry Angel was one of the best-backed runners outside Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, starting $10 third favourite, but was never a factor and beat home only roughies Jedibeel and Magic Time when 3-1/2 lengths from Ka Ying Rising.
“Obviously we were a little disappointed with his Everest run, but he did actually finish off really strongly and ran quite good sectionals. I think only Angel Capital ran better sectionals than him,” Hayes said.
“He’s got a lot of improvement (to come), he’s only third-up into the Russell Balding, so don’t discount him.”
Tim Clark, who was aboard for the Stradbroke success and rode in The Everest, retains his association with War Machine, who drew ideally in barrier seven.
