War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) relished the solid tempo as he came from just off the speed to land the Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in comfortable fashion as he booked a trip to Queensland for the winter.
It was the New Zealand-bred four-year-old’s first victory from his new quarters with trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, after transferring from the stable of the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson.
Positioned in third throughout under Jamie Mott, War Machine enjoyed the speed set by eventual third-placegetter Oscar’s Fortune (Rich Enuff) and surged to victory in the concluding stages as the $1.90 favourite.
“We were a little bit worried about that draw (barrier 10) as to where he would end up, but there were a couple of scratchings this morning, which gave us confidence to run and it just worked out perfectly,” Ben Hayes said.
“He was able to slot in, and Jamie Mott gave him an absolute ten out of ten ride and we’re just so fortunate to be given this horse to train and he’s been a pleasure.
“He’s been in the system nearly two weeks now and he’s been so straightforward and arrived to us in good condition.
“He’s an exciting horse heading up to Queensland now, where we will look at the BRC Sprint (Gr.3, 1400m) in two weeks and hopefully he can get qualified to run in a Stradbroke (Gr.1, 1400m).
“From what we’ve seen at home, is a high-quality horse that would be up there with some of our better horses in the yard. “
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 four victories and four placings from 11 starts, War Machine has amassed A$506,010 in prizemoney to date.
War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold across the Tasman and will also join the Hayes team. “We actually just bought the half-brother in New Zealand who was a good trial winner, so there’s limited shares available and if you’d like to get in, get in quick,” Hayes said.