The Newmarket Handicap will see 15 horses battle along the celebrated Flemington straight six furlongs.

Wednesday’s acceptances sparked ‘who’s in, who’s out’ talks, confirming highly credentialed three-year-old Tentyris in the 15-strong field gunning for Group 1 immortality on a list begun in 1874.

Tentyris looks to inscribe himself alongside past three-year-old Group 1 winners including Placid Ark (1987), Schillaci (1992), Exceed And Excel (2004), Weekend Hussler (2008), Brazen Beau (2015), Bivouac (2020) and Cylinder (2024).

To prevail with 57kg, the three-year-old must replicate Ajax’s 1938 weight feat.

Four previous appearances on the Flemington straight yielded dazzling results in Tentyris’s last two, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in spring and Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 14 comeback.

Mark Zahra takes the reins again Saturday after Damian Lane’s prior success, from stall 12.

Lindsay Park’s Ben, Will and J D Hayes enter to thwart Tentyris’s straight mastery.

They pursue a Newmarket breakthrough since Redkirk Warrior’s 2017-2018 double.

The operation has evolved considerably from David and Ben Hayes’s era with Tom Dabernig.

War Machine, for the Hayes brothers, starts from barrier 11 under Jamie Mott.

Mott’s association began with a Caulfield win in May for Lindsay Park, then Brisbane triumphs in BRC Sprint and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Third as $1.30 elect in Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on January 23 was War Machine’s last run.

Recent jump-outs include third behind Wodeton at Flemington last Friday.

Post-Pakenham freshening has pleased Ben Hayes with War Machine’s order.

“He’s spot on and will rebound,” Hayes said.

“We were really happy with his jump-out and I thought he was great through the line.

“He didn’t handle the night meeting, and it was a very firm track that night and he jarred up, but he seems right back on track now.”

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