War Machine (NZ) Dominates Bendigo Guineas

Unsold in two trips through the Karaka sale ring in 2022, War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) burst on to the black-type scene in Australia on Saturday with an emphatic victory in the A$200,000 Listed RSN 945AM Bendigo Guineas (1400m).

War Machine was bred by MDJ Bloodstock and was offered by Ardsley Stud at Karaka 2022 and the Ready to Run Sale, where he failed to meet his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. He has now had five starts for three wins and a placing, earning A$160,110 with the promise of much more to come.

Sold privately after a six-length trial win in New Zealand, War Machine joined the Flemington stable of trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney and has wasted no time in showing his talent.

After trailing the leader in Saturday’s three-year-old feature, War Machine and jockey Jordan Childs burst to the front in the straight and proved their superiority with a dominant two-length win.

Assistant trainer Anthony Feroce said the win will be a boost for Moroney, who was admitted to hospital last weekend.

“It’s been a tough few days for everyone at the stable and so this is a great tonic,” Feroce said. “Mike is hanging in there and doing well, so hopefully we’ll see him back at the track really soon.

“We bought this horse in New Zealand as a tried horse, and this win is very special. This time in, he’s just kept improving, His work on the track on Tuesday morning was sensational and it’s great to see him bring that out here today.

“There is always the possibility that he could go to Queensland. We’ll have a look and see what’s there.”