War Machine confirmed his place among Australia’s elite sprinters with a commanding Group 1 win in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm, sparking talk of a possible Hayes family clash in this year’s The Everest.
Previously trained by the late Mike Moroney, War Machine has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, maintaining a perfect record in his three starts with the stable.
Following the Group 1 triumph, Ben Hayes signaled the team’s openness to fielding offers from Everest slot holders, despite knowing it may lead to a showdown with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising—trained by their father, David Hayes.
“They’re all the problems we’ve got now,” Ben Hayes said.
“I might be having to take on my old man’s horse, Ka Ying Rising, but you’ve got to be in it to win it.”
With Blake Shinn sidelined, Tim Clark made the most of the opportunity aboard the $3.20 favourite, slotting in three-wide with cover from a wide barrier before unleashing War Machine’s devastating sprint in the straight.
The four-year-old fended off a challenge from Private Eye ($11) and held out the fast-finishing Yellow Brick ($41) to secure the win.
“He travelled so well. I probably let him loose a bit early but it was his grand final, there is no tomorrow, so I wasn’t going to die wondering,” Clark said of the horse’s performance in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
“He really let rip. Maybe wandered a bit late. I could feel Yellow Brick coming late and he surged again.
“I love getting up to Queensland and to win the ‘Straddie’ has just iced what has been a great carnival.”
Ben Hayes praised the horse’s professionalism and smooth lead-up into the race, drawing comparisons between War Machine’s athletic frame and that of stable star Mr Brightside.
“They expect him to be a big, powerful horse but he’s got a physique like Mr Brightside so hopefully he is the same,” Hayes said.
With Group 1 success under his belt and a potential Everest tilt on the horizon, punters looking to back War Machine can head to the best betting sites Australia for the latest odds, markets, and offers.
Compare top online bookmakers, unlock valuable betting promotions, and bet smarter on racing’s biggest events.
