War Machine out of Manikato

[Wandering Eyes]

Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will miss Friday night’s Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley after suffering an untimely foot abscess.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes explained connections are still hopeful of gaining a slot in next month’s A$20 million The Everest, with War Machine now likely to run first-up either at Flemington or Randwick early next month.

“He got a very minor foot abscess so he missed a week, which put us on the back foot, so he’ll probably run now in the Gilgai,” Hayes said.

“He’ll run Turnbull Day (October 4) at Flemington or in Sydney in the (Gr.2) Premiere (1000m), so he’ll be dual accepted that day and we’ll choose which will be the best race for him.

“We were very happy with him, he was going great. He’s trialing again next Thursday and then he should be spot on for the straight race or up in Sydney.”

Another Lindsay Park horse returning from a setback is Gr.1 hopeful Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), who is set to have his first run since his Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (fifth) effort more than a month ago.

“Evaporate, he runs next week in the (Gr.3) Sandown Stakes,” Hayes said. “He got a little virus and we needed to back off him but he had a trial (at Flemington) on Friday and he’s all back on track.”

Meanwhile Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is unlikely to be matched up against super mares Treasurethe Moment and Pride Of Jenni at The Valley on Friday night, with connections preferring to concentrate on his ultimate spring goal in Sydney next month.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said while the stable was tempted to take the last-start Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) hero to the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes on Friday night, the plan now revolves around getting to the A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18 in the best possible order.

“He pulled up great but a couple of years ago we went straight into the King Charles and we just got beaten, so we’ll follow that recipe,” Hayes said. “He’s got a great record there (Randwick mile) and he’s got five weeks to it.

“He’ll trial on the same day in Sydney as Ka Ying Rising on the 7th (of October) and then go to the King Charles ready to turn in his best.”

View the full article