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."
Discover top Australian betting sites offering odds on the Newmarket Handicap.
More Racing News
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...
Price straps The Speed Machine ahead of Mornington triumph
At Mornington, trainer Mick Price returned to his early career tasks by parading The Speed Machine himself.The youngster, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, got lively during the saddling process, so Price handled the strapping before the Mornington Sires (1000m) took place on Saturday.It proved a...
La Fracas back in Victoria for rain-affected Hareeba Stakes
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's operation was banking on soggy conditions during Sydney's autumn and tailored La Fracas' program accordingly.The trainer has described the gelding as one of his premier, perhaps the premier, performers on rain-affected tracks.Nevertheless, the surface failed to favour La Fracas across his two Sydney outings,...
Mornington Cup beckons for Kings Valley
Team Ciaron Maher has awaited the perfect moment to stretch Kings Valley out over further ground.Such a moment presents itself with the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) scheduled for Saturday.Initially listed as the first reserve upon Wednesday's field declaration, Kings Valley secured a spot in the 14-runner event after Plymouth was...
David Payne eyes next Group 1 star in Persian Wonder
Despite running a compact stable, David Payne excels at spotting Group 1 talent, and he's optimistic that two-year-old Persian Wonder will be the newest addition.This exciting prospect lines up in the Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, seeking his maiden win at top level after consistent efforts, capped by...
Royal Patronage faces possible last run in All Aged Stakes
If a post-Hong Kong journey fatigue or diminished passion for competition explained it, Royal Patronage underdelivered in the spring season.Resuming for autumn duties, co-trainer Adrian Bott opted to revamp the seven-year-old's daily schedule to boost his concentration, and handily, he enlisted his wife and expert horse handler, Jess."My wife has...
Exit filly bypasses Sydney for Maher's Adelaide stakes raid
Black-type performances are crucial for fillies eyeing broodmare careers down the line.Fresh from her Flemington success last time out, Exit is making tracks for Adelaide to chase stakes glory in the Listed H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) over at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.The Ciaron Maher charge is entered for the...
Wonder Boy faces mile test with home advantage at Mornington
Jerome Hunter, the Mornington-based trainer, is eager to see Wonder Boy tackle 1600m once more, now on his local circuit.Wonder Boy lines up in the No Fuss Event Hire Handicap (1600m) at Mornington on Saturday, potentially paving the way for a Brisbane venture with the four-year-old.According to Hunter, there are...
Headley Grange reunites with Hyeronimus for All Aged Stakes challenge
Boasting six successes from just eight rides on Headley Grange, the connections of the gelding naturally trust Adam Hyeronimus to deliver peak performance in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick.To launch his current campaign, the five-year-old produced two eye-catching runs, flying late to grab fourth behind Joliestar in the Canterbury...
Mornington showdown to gauge Corniche's group 1 prospects
Shawn Mathrick, the trainer, is eager to enter another Stakes contest with Corniche, his recently acquired stablemate.This former Godolphin horse claimed a win at Flemington on his third run for Mathrick and now lines up in Saturday's Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) over at Mornington.Should he perform well, Mathrick plans a...