War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.
On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.
While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered that race in prime condition, having previously won the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm and the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.
The Hayes brothers had been looking forward to what lay ahead, but it was not until the Group 3 Harry White Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this past Saturday that War Machine secured another victory.
With Mark Zahra in the saddle, War Machine ($3.70) managed to fend off the favoured $2.50 chance Private Eye by a head, while Hughes ($12) trailed by three-quarters of a length in third.
The win denied Private Eye a second consecutive triumph.
Ben Hayes remarked that War Machine has been a tremendous asset to the stable and expressed satisfaction in seeing the gelding back in the winner's circle.
"He's been a super horse for us, but he's been a bit frustrating since winning a few Stakes races last year," Hayes commented.
"Things haven't quite gone his way with wide barrier and tracks, and we scratched him four times before we found the right race.
"He had a good run today, a great ride from Mark and it was good to get a class drop into a race like that."
Zahra skillfully navigated his mount through the field, taking the lead early in the straight, and Hayes noted his impressment with the fight War Machine showed when the second horse challenged.
Hayes mentioned that the Lindsay Park team would consider options at Flemington during the forthcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival.
"I would like to see how he pulls up first because we do have the option of coming back in trip or going up in trip," Hayes said.
"He's got a lot of options. He's a good 1400-metre horse and he's good down the straight as well, so we'll have a good talk to the ownership group, and we'll make that decision over a nice drink and enjoy the win."
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