Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted September 30 Journalists Posted September 30 New Zealand-bred Group One winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will get his chance to audition for a place in next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) this week, but trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have yet to decide where that will be. The last-start winner of the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm has had a slower than anticipated start to the spring, with a foot abscess delaying initial plans. “He just got a foot abscess at the wrong time, which didn’t let us trial when we planned to trial, so it set us back about a week,” Ben Hayes told Racing.com. “In a funny way, it’s probably been a good thing. The horse has absolutely thrived, he looks a million dollars. “He trialled last week and it was an eye-catching trial. He was great through the line and we feel he is right on track.” The five-year-old son of Harry Angel is nominated for the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, with Hayes leaning towards the later. “We have two nice options to look at now, either down the straight at Flemington, which he is most likely to head that way, or the race in Sydney,” he said. His connections are hoping a strong performance will attract the interest of The Everest slot holders, and Hayes said they would welcome the chance to contest the rich feature. “This is his audition (for The Everest) I would say,” Hayes said. “Wherever he runs I am sure there will be lots of people watching and seeing how he goes, and if he were to run well, it wouldn’t surprise me (if he was offered a place in The Everest). He is a very sharp horse that we feel is in great order.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. With six victories and four placings from 13 starts, War Machine has amassed A$2.48 million in prizemoney to date. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.