1400m Machine chases Orr crown
War Machine's (NZ) (Harry Angel) scheduled first-up run this campaign taught the Lindsay Park team to not take anything for granted with the classy gelding, but the Hayes brothers are excited about seeing what he can do in this Saturday's Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown.
The A$1 million Group One will be the fourth run of a campaign that was meant to begin in the Aurie's Star Handicap on August 1, only for him to be a late scratching after bursting through the barriers.
War Machine was also scratched from the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day after drawing wide and JD Hayes said while the spring had not gone as the Hayes brothers had planned, they were delighted with his condition.
"He's just had an awful amount of bad luck – the amount of scratching fees he's incurred due to bad tracks or bad barriers has been immense," Hayes, who trains War Machine in partnership with brothers Ben and Will, said.
"The ownership group has been patient, but we're just waiting for the right set up for him and hopefully we get that on Saturday.
"He's raced himself back into form and he looks tremendous."
War Machine's last-start win in the Gr.3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) followed a 14th placing in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), which have been his only two starts at 1400m since his career highlight win in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June last year.
The son of Harry Angel has now won five of seven starts at the trip and while he flopped at his only start at Sandown, that was just his second racetrack appearance back in August 2023 and Hayes expects him to appreciate the wide open spaces of the Hillside circuit.
"Just getting him to the right distance has been the key," Hayes said.
"He was terrific first-up at Caulfield and had no luck in the Rupert Clarke (Stakes), so he hasn't done too much wrong.
"I love Sandown and I think he'll love it too."
Mark Zahra, who partnered War Machine to Moonga Stakes victory, retains the ride in the Orr Stakes with War Machine a $23 chance in the market headed by three-time Group One winner Beiwacht (Bivouac) ($3.10).
