Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine has been ruled out of Friday night’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley after suffering a minor foot abscess.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes confirmed that while the setback cost the gelding a week of work, connections remain hopeful of securing a slot in next month’s $20 million The Everest. War Machine is now likely to resume at either Flemington or Randwick in early October.
“He got a very minor foot abscess so he missed a week, which put us on the back foot, so he’ll probably run now in the Gilgai,” Hayes said. “He’ll run Turnbull Day (October 4) at Flemington or in Sydney in the (G2) Premiere (1000m), so he’ll be dual accepted that day and we’ll choose which will be the best race for him.”
Hayes added that War Machine was pleasing the stable prior to the setback. “We were very happy with him, he was going great. He’s trialing again next Thursday and then he should be spot on for the straight race or up in Sydney.”
Stablemate Evaporate, also being aimed at Group 1 targets, is set to return next week. The galloper, who finished fifth in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes last month, had his campaign interrupted by a virus but is now back on track.
“Evaporate, he runs next week in the (G3) Sandown Stakes,” Hayes said. “He got a little virus and we needed to back off him but he had a trial (at Flemington) on Friday and he’s all back on track.”
Punters can find the latest markets for War Machine’s Everest bid and Evaporate’s return at Australia’s leading betting sites.
