Group One winner War Machine will kick off his campaign in an early-season sprint when he lines up in Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m).
Traditionally held at Moonee Valley, this year’s race will be run under lights at Pakenham while the Valley undergoes redevelopment.
The gelding stamped himself as an elite sprinter last winter with victory in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), before backing it up in the spring with a dominant win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) under 60 kilograms.
Those performances earned War Machine a start in The Everest, though his Sydney campaign failed to fire before he was sent to the paddock.
Lindsay Park has since put two jump-outs into the gelding, including a strong Werribee hit-out, leaving the Hayes brothers satisfied with his condition.
“He’s very good, and he’s on track to run in the Australia Stakes on January 23rd,” JD Hayes said.
“We’re really happy with the order he’s presenting and trialling up in.”
An autumn campaign could include the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) or the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), depending on Friday night’s performance.