War Machine confirmed his rising star status with a commanding win in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm, keeping his unbeaten record intact under the Hayes brothers’ care.
Previously trained by the late Mike Moroney, the four-year-old is now three-from-three for Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
Ben Hayes said they would welcome any approach from Everest slot holders, despite their father David Hayes’ runner Ka Ying Rising already being favourite.
“I might be having to take on my old man’s horse, Ka Ying Rising, but you’ve got to be in it to win it,” Ben said.
Tim Clark, substituting for the injured Blake Shinn, guided War Machine ($3.20) to a brilliant win from a wide draw, holding off Yellow Brick ($41) and Private Eye ($11).
“It was his grand final, there is no tomorrow, so I wasn’t going to die wondering,” Clark said.
Hayes likened War Machine’s physique to Mr Brightside, saying, “Hopefully he is the same.”