A significant period has elapsed in the past year for the horse War Machine.

Around this time last year, War Machine, under the training of Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, was participating in Sydney’s prestigious The Everest.

Although the outcome wasn’t as the Lindsay Park trainers had envisioned, War Machine had entered that event in superb condition, having secured victories in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm and the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington in the preceding races.

The Hayes brothers had anticipated future successes, but it wasn’t until the Group 3 Harry White Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday that War Machine was once again triumphant.

Guided by jockey Mark Zahra, War Machine ($3.70) narrowly defeated the heavily backed $2.50 favourite Private Eye by a head, with Hughes ($12) finishing three-quarters of a length behind in third place.

This victory prevented Private Eye from achieving consecutive wins.

Ben Hayes commented that War Machine has been an exceptional galloper for their stable, and it was gratifying to witness the gelding recapture its winning form.

“He’s been a super horse for us, but he’s been a bit frustrating since winning a few Stakes races last year,” Hayes stated.

“Things haven’t quite gone his way with wide barrier and tracks, and we scratched him four times before we found the right race.

“He had a good run today, a great ride from Mark and it was good to get a class drop into a race like that.”

Zahra expertly navigated through the field, taking the lead early in the final straight, and Hayes expressed his admiration for the tenacity War Machine displayed when challenged by the runner-up.

Hayes indicated that there were potential targets at Flemington during the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival that the Lindsay Park team would contemplate.

“I would like to see how he pulls up first because we do have the option of coming back in trip or going up in trip,” Hayes explained.

“He’s got a lot of options. He’s a good 1400-metre horse and he’s good down the straight as well, so we’ll have a good talk to the ownership group, and we’ll make that decision over a nice drink and enjoy the win.”

Bookmakers are offering competitive Australian betting sites for upcoming races.