Lindsay Park’s experienced gelding, War Machine, has given the stable a valuable lesson about not taking anything for granted this preparation, but the Hayes brothers are eagerly anticipating his performance in this Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Sandown.
The lucrative $1 million Group 1 event will mark the gelding’s fourth start this campaign. His intended season opener, the Aurie’s Star Handicap on August 1, saw him scratched late after an incident where he broke through the barriers.
Further misfortune struck when War Machine was also withdrawn from The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day due to an unfavourable barrier draw. Despite the spring not unfolding as the Hayes brothers had envisioned, JD Hayes confirmed they are pleased with the horse’s current condition.
“He’s just had an awful amount of bad luck – the amount of scratching fees he’s incurred due to bad tracks or bad barriers has been immense,” Hayes, who co-trains War Machine with his brothers Ben and Will, commented.
“The ownership group has been patient, but we’re just waiting for the right set up for him and hopefully we get that on Saturday. He’s raced himself back into form and he looks tremendous.”
War Machine’s most recent outing resulted in a victory in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes. This followed a 14th-place finish in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, which, along with his career-defining win in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in June of last year, represents his only two attempts at the 1400m distance.
The son of Harry Angel has now secured five victories from seven starts at this trip. While he performed poorly in his sole previous outing at Sandown, it was merely his second race start back in August 2023, and Hayes anticipates he will thrive in the expansive layout of the Hillside track.
“Just getting him to the right distance has been the key,” Hayes stated.
“He was terrific first-up at Caulfield and had no luck in the Rupert Clarke (Stakes), so he hasn’t done too much wrong. I love Sandown and I think he’ll love it too.”
Mark Zahra, who guided War Machine to his Moonga Stakes triumph, will again partner the gelding in the Orr Stakes. War Machine is currently priced at $23 in the betting, with the market dominated by three-time Group 1 victor Beiwacht at $3.10.
War Machine looks well-placed to perform strongly in the CF Orr Stakes this Saturday, with the gelding showing excellent form. You can find the best odds for the race at leading Australian betting sites.
