War Machine is a five-time winner in Australia overdue for a victory in a big-money race.
The landmark win may occur in Friday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
War Machine was the 2-1 favorite in early betting on Thursday for the $1.95 million Stradbroke Handicap, which drew a full field of 18. He merits the role of a strong favorite for consecutive wins in May after joining trainers Ben, Will, and J.D. Hayes.
Last year’s race
Winner: Leovanni
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: Karl R Burke
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Age: 2
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 22/1
Season Form Figures: 1
Previous Best: 1st - Class 5 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, Nottingham (June 2024)
By Paul Jones
The Carlburg Stables supremo takes the wraps off his Royal Ascot runners, featuring Wolferton favourite Enfjaar and Hunt Cup market leader My Cloud.
By Tony Elves
Roger Varian is not renowned for trying to make his geese swans when casting his eye over the Royal meeting and invariably picks up a winning prize at Royal Ascot.
Charyn was the star of the show for the Newmarket trainer last year when maintaining his impressive victory roll in the Queen Anne Stakes and that was a fourth successive year that Varian had returned home to Newmarket with a first prize.
EXPERT ANALYSIS Royal Ascot 2025 Two-Year-Olds
In what other field of endeavour could you find Albert Einstein squaring up against Charles Darwin, with Amadeus Mozart one of many looking to get involved?
Perhaps in a discussion of who has contributed most to human advancement, but also - thanks to the naming policy of Coolmore - when considering the merits of the juvenile Class of 2025.
The Owning Hill ace has assembled another strong squad as he bids for more glory at the big meeting in Berkshire.
Joseph O’Brien has only just turned 32, but he has already put together a remarkable list of accomplishments in horse racing.
Having ridden 31 Group 1 winners in his first career as a jockey, he took out his trainer’s licence in June 2016 and hasn’t looked back since. He has saddled 17 Grade 1 winners over jumps and 21 Group 1 winners on the Flat.
Dave Orton shines a light on five interesting outsiders at the Royal Meeting in 2025, live on Sky Sports Racing.
LAKE FOREST
Queen Anne Stakes (2.30 - Tuesday)
Although yet to run over a mile and having performed way below market expectations on his seasonal debut in France last month, Lake Forest doesn’t obviously appeal as a Queen Anne winner in waiting.
However, the four-year-old is not yet fully exposed and trainer William Haggas has been plotting to have his colt turn up at fever pitch on the big day.
Last year’s race
Winner: Belloccio
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: W P Mullins
Owner: Thurloe Thoroughbreds Ireland Limited
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 7lbs
Starting Price: 4/1
Season Form Figures: Seasonal debut (Flat)
Previous Best: 1st - Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (Listed), Kempton (November 2022)
By Paul Jones
