The Hayes family is chasing a breakthrough win in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), with War Machine and Rise At Dawn giving Ben, Will and J D Hayes their best chance yet.

Despite decades of success, the famous Lindsay Park stable has never claimed the Group 1 at Eagle Farm — a streak dating back to Colin Hayes.

“This year we’ve got the best hand that we’ve ever had,” Ben Hayes said.

War Machine, formerly with Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson, has been in top form since joining Lindsay Park, winning at Caulfield and claiming the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m).

“He’s done everything right and he looks fantastic,” Hayes added.

Stablemate Rise At Dawn backs up quickly after a fifth in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and drops sharply in weight from 59kg to 52.5kg.

“He’s definitely a danger, not only to War Machine, but all the others in the race,” Hayes said.