The spring is War Machine’s oyster with its plethora of Group One sprint options for rising star War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel), according to his co-trainer Ben Hayes.
Hayes said he will need to discuss War Machine’s program with his brothers Will and JD as well as his connections before a plan is mapped out for the Kiwi import.
Hayes also predicted that the best was yet to come from the four-year-old son of Harry Angel.
“The scary thing is the way he looks and the way he’s racing he’s got more improvement to come,” Hayes said.
Hayes said his initial thought was there were two races which came to mind – the Gr.1 Everest (1200m) and the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m).
“The Stradbroke has been a good race for The Everest over the last couple of years, so that’s on the cards and then there’s the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield,” Hayes said
“The Sir Rupert Clarke being a Group One race over 1400m and a handicap also fits in nicely for him beforehand especially as it’s now before The Everest.”
“Then there’s a lot of other Group One weight-for-age sprints in the spring as well. There are a lot of options,” he said.
Hayes put the win of War Machine down to the planning and foresight of the late Mike Moroney.
“It was a big thrill for the stable and a big thrill for the Ballymore team and the memory of Mike Moroney. When we received the horse that was his plan to go to the Stradbroke and Mike was right as he said he was a Stradbroke horse and he did it,” he said.
“Some of the ownership group are still doing it tough, so there were a lot of mixed emotions after the win. It was a big thrill for everyone.”
“He’ll have a short break and then we can attack the spring.”
New Zealand breds have won 16 Group One races in Australia this season, with War Machine the latest, bred under the banner of MDJ Bloodstock Ltd – Mary, Maddy, David and Jim Wallace – with the latter pair remaining in the ownership of the emerging talent who was purchased off a strong Foxton trial win.