Trainer Ben Hayes chasing Stradbroke Handicap win before the birth of his first child

Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes is set for a life-changing experience later this year but claiming the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with War Machine is his immediate priority.

Ben Hayes and the Lindsay Park team have a terrific chance in the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap with War Machine. Pictures: Getty Images

Family patriarch Colin Hayes adopted the motto ‘the future belongs to those who plan for it’ and Lindsay Park’s current crop is upholding the tradition.

Ben Hayes is the latest of Colin’s grandsons to start a family on his own as he confirmed his wife, racing media personality Grace Ramage, is expecting the couple’s first child later this year.

Hayes’s twin brothers and training partners Will and JD became fathers to sons last year but he said he and Ramage were expecting a daughter.

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“We’ve got a little girl on the way. It’s so exciting,” Hayes said.

“She’s the first girl.”

Hayes said time would tell whether the Hayes dynasty would stretch to a fourth generation.

“It really depends on the next generation,” Hayes said.

“If they want to do it, we’ll certainly support them.”

Ben Hayes and Grace Ramage are expecting a daughter. Picture: Fiona Hamilton / Racing Photos

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While the Hayes family will have cause for celebration in a few months’ time, the training trio could take Lindsay Park into uncharted territory in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 14.

Neither Colin nor their father David has prevailed in Queensland’s most famous race but recent stable recruit War Machine raced to Stradbroke favouritism with his dominant win the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben.

Bookmakers promoted War Machine to the $4 favourite in Stradbroke betting with that quote set to tighten should Chris Waller withdraw Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar from the $3m event.

Hayes said War Machine had progressed well since his Doomben win but the camp had to finalise one important detail for the four-year-old’s Stradbroke Handicap bid.

“We’ve got to find a jockey and that will probably be after this week,” Hayes said.

“He gets into the Straddie really well with only 53 (kg).

“I think he’s a deserved favourite and his form is great.

“Hopefully he can have a bit of luck with the barrier.”

A race-to-race double for @blake_shinn as War Machine wins the last at Doomben in impressive fashion! @lindsayparkracepic.twitter.com/5I1jEbJDh9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

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War Machine will be out to give prominent Melbourne owner Rupert Legh his third Stradbroke Handicap win.

The late Mike Moroney prepared Mr Baritone (2008) and Tofane (2021) to win the event carrying Legh’s navy and yellow silks.

Tofane went on to win another two Group 1 events.

Hayes said War Machine could also develop into a consistent Group 1 performer in the spring.

“We don’t want to think too far ahead and we’ll just focus on the Straddie but he would be an excellent Toorak horse and I think they moved the Rupert Clarke back to where it was as well,” Hayes said.

“There’s heaps of that type of race for him so there’s plenty of options.

“He’s hard to get a guide on at home because he’s a lazy worker, just like Mr B but he just turns up race day.

“We love horses that do it and that’s what he’s done for us so far.”

Originally published as Trainer Ben Hayes chasing Stradbroke Handicap win before the birth of his first child