G1 Stradbroke Next for War Machine

Media Release - Saturday May 24

Hot favourite War Machine made light work of his rivals in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and it is now all systems go as the four-year-old son of Harry Angel (IRE) heads towards the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.  

Hot favourite War Machine powers to victory at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Grant Peters

Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the New Zealand bred galloper is a recent addition to the Lindsay Park team, having transferred from the stable of the late the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson.

A last-start Caulfield winner from his new quarters, War Machine made it two from two for the Hayes team as he cruised to victory under Blake Shinn defeating Far Too Easy and Kiwi raider Pier.

“That was an unbelievable effort by the horse,” JD Hayes said.

“We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him and he’s gone from strength-to-strength.

“It looked like we’d get a beautiful fun from the barrier and he’s let down well, which he did.

“He had his ears pricked on the line and we’re really looking forward to the Stradbroke.

“He’s a lovely calm animal and a real professional. That was only his 12th start and he’s on the way up. We’re extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring.

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“He’s got a lovely racing style and in these colours - Rupert Legh - who is a big supporter of the stable and he’s drawing comparisons to a horse that dad trained called Eagle Falls to win an Oakleigh Plate.

“We couldn’t be happier with how everything has panned out.”

Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions.

By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase.

With five victories and four placings from 12 starts, War Machine has amassed A$680,010 in prizemoney to date and he is $5 favourite for the A$3 million Stradbroke.

War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold to clients of the Hayes team. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - HKJC World Pool BRC Sprint Gr3 1350m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:18.76
1
War Machine
- 4g Harry Angel (IRE) x Caserta (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Shinn 56.5
2
2.6
Far Too Easy
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mnemonic (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: D A McColm Rdr: Craig Williams 59
All Too Hard
3
3.2
Pier
- 5g Proisir (AUS) x La Vitesse (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
4
3.7
Willaidow
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Stimulated (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: J R Collett 58
5
3.8
Transatlantic
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Gust Of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56
6
4.4
Abounding
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Transonic (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
7
4.8
Xidaki
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Athanea (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55.5
8
5.1
Matcha Latte
- 5g Maurice (JPN) x Wayward (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 55
9
5.9
Freedom Rally
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x Ipioga (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ryan Maloney 59
10
6.2
Cifrado
- 4g Encryption (AUS) x Madame Fly (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: R G Lipp Rdr: Cejay Graham 57.5
11
6.6
Yellow Brick
- 5g The Mission (AUS) x Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: A Mallyon 60
12
7.2
Boom Torque
- 5g Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Outback Saga (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: Damien Thornton 55
13
8.5
Attractable
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Affable (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: N Rawiller 58
14
9.7
Coleman
- 3c Pierata (AUS) x Sboog (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
15
11.1
Rockribbed
- 7g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Seattle Lass (AUS) (Fraar (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Emily Lang 56.5
16
14.2
Iknowastar
- 5g Star Witness (AUS) x Hidden Message (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 59
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