War Machine Lays Waste to Stadbroke Opposition

In the second of two Group 1s in Brisbane on Saturday, War Machine delivered a stirring performance in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, etching his name into the record books while honouring two late figures deeply woven into his story. The victory came just days after the unexpected death of Michael Wallace, the globally respected New Zealand bloodstock agent who secured War Machine's dam, Caserta, for his brother David and late sister-in-law Maddy. Bred by the Wallace family's MDJ Bloodstock and twice passed in at Karaka under the Ardsley Stud banner, the gelding was eventually purchased privately after a six-length Foxton trial win, spotted by bloodstock agent Steven Pinfold. War Machine made his first nine starts for the late Mike Moroney – another industry giant lost this year – before transferring to the Hayes brothers' stable. "The Wallace family bred this horse and is in the ownership group," said Ben Hayes. "They've had a really tough time lately and hopefully his win today will make them feel better. Also Mike Moroney…. we're fortunate to be entrusted with this horse. It's really exciting." The 4YO Harry Angel gelding is unbeaten in three runs for Ben, Will and JD Hayes. A Benchmark 100 win at Caulfield was followed by a commanding Gr3 BRC Sprint victory at Doomben, where Stradbroke form was franked by third-placed Pier later scoring in the Listed Wayne Wilson (see below). Sent out a $3.20 favourite, War Machine travelled three-wide with cover under jockey Tim Clark, who timed his run perfectly. Swinging wide into the straight, he exploded clear at the 250m, holding off Yellow Brick, Private Eye and Desert Lightning to win by three-quarters of a length. "This was the grand final; there's no tomorrow," reasoned Clark. "He let rip, really let rip. Maybe just wandered a little late. He could feel Yellow Brick coming and sort of surged again." Pinfold, who formerly worked with Moroney during his golden era with Brew and Second Coming, recalled spotting the colt at a jumpout. "Mike said to me War Machine might be one of the better horses he trained," Pinfold said. "We set him for the Rupert Clarke and then the Stradbroke. Sadly, Mike isn't with us now." The horse also carries sentimental weight for Pinfold, who has longstanding ties with the Wallace family and Ardsley Stud. "I've known them forty years. Jim gave me my first job in the industry," he said. With six wins and four placings from 13 starts, War Machine has now banked $2.48 million. His Darci Brahma half-brother Vanvitelli, who recently won a Waipukurau trial, has since joined the Hayes stable.