The Stradbroke Handicap has long been a gap in the trophy cabinet for the Lindsay Park operation, despite the contributions of multiple generations of Hayes family trainers.

This Saturday at Eagle Farm, Ben, Will and JD Hayes will attempt to break that drought with a powerful two-pronged assault via War Machine and Rise At Dawn in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

“We had our first runner last year and he didn’t go us well as we had hoped, but this year we’ve got the best hand that we’ve ever had and hopefully with a couple of nice draws, we should get every chance,” Ben Hayes said.

Since arriving from the stables of Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson, War Machine has excelled, backing up a win at Caulfield with a dominant performance in the BRC Sprint (1350m).

Hayes acknowledged the significance of the opportunity: “We got approached by Rupert (Legh) and everyone involved, and it was an offer you couldn’t say no to.”

“Mike was a very good trainer, and he had lots of Group 1 success. He had a lot of nice horses and we’re benefitting from that, and we’ll do our best to get a result for him.”

After a pleasing piece of work at Eagle Farm, War Machine is spot-on for Saturday. “He’s done everything right and he looks fantastic, so we’ve just got to wrap him in cotton wool to get him to the big day,” Hayes said.

Rise At Dawn, meanwhile, will attempt a rare quick backup after a fifth in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), now significantly advantaged by the handicap conditions.

“I think you can look back to his autumn carnival when he ran in the All-Star Mile,” Hayes said. “He got beaten four lengths there and then he ran fourth in a Doncaster and got beaten just under half-a-length.”

“He’s come through his run in good order and we’re confident he can run really well,” Hayes added. “He’s definitely a danger, not only to War Machine, but all the others in the race.”