Group 1 winner War Machine will launch his latest campaign in Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), with the sprint to be held under lights at Pakenham.

Traditionally run at Moonee Valley, the feature has been relocated while the Valley undergoes redevelopment.

The Lindsay Park-trained gelding stamped himself as one of the nation’s elite sprinters when capturing the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), before returning in the spring with a dominant performance in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) under a hefty 60kg.

Those efforts earned War Machine a place in The Everest, where he started among the favourites behind Ka Ying Rising, before finishing unplaced in both that event and the Russell Balding Stakes on heavy ground.

The Hayes brothers have since given the gelding a freshen-up, including two jump-outs at Werribee, the latest of which impressed under minimal pressure.

“He’s very good, and he’s on track to run in the Australia Stakes on January 23rd,” JD Hayes said.

“The Sydney trips didn’t quite go to plan, but what we’re holding onto is how brilliant he was first-up down the straight.

“We’re really happy with the order he’s presenting in and his trial at Werribee showed us he’s ready to run well fresh.”

Rated 114, War Machine now faces limited options, but Hayes believes the gelding remains well placed.

“We’ll see how he goes in the Australia Stakes and then map out his autumn,” Hayes said.

“With his rating, weight-for-age races are probably where he fits best, and we think he’ll be even better as the trips stretch slightly.”

Future targets could include the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) or the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

Interest in the race has been strong across leading Australian betting sites ahead of Friday night’s feature.

The post War Machine to target G2 Australia Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.