Newmarket Handicap features War Machine's redemption bid
Expect 15 competitors to clash over the iconic Flemington straight six in the Newmarket Handicap.
Prior to Wednesday's declarations, debates raged over participant lists, with elite three-year-old Tentyris confirmed among the 15 vying for Group 1 riches on a roll of honour from 1874.
The three-year-old Tentyris hopes to emulate modern-era three-year-old winners like Placid Ark (1987), Schillaci (1992), Exceed And Excel (2004), Weekend Hussler (2008), Brazen Beau (2015), Bivouac (2020) and Cylinder (2024).
Assigned 57kg, Tentyris faces the challenge of equalling the three-year-old weight record from Ajax in 1938.
Tentyris has four prior runs down the Flemington straight, shining brightly in his two most recent wins by claiming the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in spring and the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 14 return.
Damian Lane piloted the win last time, but Mark Zahra returns for Saturday from gate 12.
The Lindsay Park trio of Ben, Will and J D Hayes fields a challenger to disrupt Tentyris's unbeaten streak on the straight.
The stable hunts its first Newmarket victory since Redkirk Warrior dominated in 2017 and 2018.
Lindsay Park has undergone major transformations since the days of David and Ben Hayes partnering with Tom Dabernig.
War Machine carries the Hayes brothers' hopes from barrier 11, with Jamie Mott aboard once more.
Earlier, Mott steered War Machine to a win at Caulfield in May on Lindsay Park debut, followed by Brisbane victories in the BRC Sprint and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
The gelding last raced when third at $1.30 odds in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham January 23.
Two jump-outs followed, including third to Wodeton at Flemington last Friday.
Ben Hayes expressed pleasure with War Machine's conditioning since the freshen-up after Pakenham.
"He's spot on and will bounce back," Hayes said.
"We were really happy with his jump-out and I thought he was great through the line.
"He didn't handle the night meeting, and it was a very firm track that night and he jarred up, but he seems right back on track now."
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