A tough week for Ballymore Stables ended on a positive note after New Zealand-bred three-year-old War Machine ran away with the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) on Saturday under the guidance of Jordan Childs.
It had been a week since his trainer Mike Moroney was admitted to hospital and his long-serving right-hand man Anthony Feroce said the Guineas success will provide the trainer with a great boost.
“It’s been a tough few days for everyone at the stable and so this is a great tonic,” Feroce said after the son of Harry Angel ran clear to score at odds of $4.20.
“The team has been terrific. Everyone back in the stables here and in New Zealand have been head down and bum up, so it’s been fantastic.
“Mike would be so happy. It’s just a great tonic for everybody. We bought him in New Zealand as a tried horse and its very special.
“I would just like to say, to everybody thanks for all the wishes that we’ve been receiving from all over the world about Mike.
“He’s hanging in there and doing well so hopefully we’ll see him back at the track really soon.”
Feroce said he wasn’t sure whether Moroney would have seen the race.
“I’m not sure as he’s still in intensive care so when he comes out, he’ll have some good news waiting.”
Feroce said War Machine could now go north to Queensland to seek black-type over the winter carnival after winning his third race on end, following his maiden win at Kyneton and a five-length demolition in a class one at Cranbourne.
“There is always a possibility of Queensland,” he said. “We’ll have a look and see what’s there.
“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 to out here today.”
Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions.
By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase.