Lark Hill horseman Adam Durrant has got rising seven-year-old Ma Ma Machine as fit as he can for Saturday’s Beaufine Stakes at Belmont Park, but there are some concerns in the camp that the horse may be just short of their best racing first-up.
Sir Laurence gelding Ma Ma Machine will line-up for their 33rd career start on Saturday, the veteran taking their spot in the 14-horse final field for the $80,000 Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m).
Allocated the 57kg top weight, Ma Ma Machine will jump just worse than mid-field from barrier eight with in-form jockey Peter Hall booked for the ride.
Although a big fan of the gallant old galloper, heavyweight hoop Hall hasn’t been aboard Ma Ma Machine since December of 2009 and is worried about how they will handle the Listed sprint tomorrow first-up from a six month spell, Ma Ma Machine seeking their second Beaufine Stakes win having saluted in 2009.
“Adam’s got him as fit as he can and if he can be sharp enough to run in this race, the weight shouldn’t worry him,” Hall said.
“It’s just a question of him being another year older. Last prep it took him one or two runs before he won.
“He’s always been a favourite of mine and I’m looking forward to getting back on him.”
Winner of the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot last November, Ma Ma Machine has had four runs since but has failed to finish better than fourth.
With Beaufine Stakes odds lead by four-year-old Kid Choisir ($4.4), Stan Bate’s Blackfirars filly All Friared Up ($4.50) and the brilliant Paul Jordan-trained mare For Your Eyes Only ($5.50), $9 chance Ma Ma Machine will face some stiff competition this weekend.
Twelve months ago they finished a close second to 2010 Beaufine Stakes winner For Your Eyes Only and will be out to turn the tables this time round.
Along with For Your Eyes Only and Ma Ma Machine, George Daly’s seven-year-old gelding Vizard is also out to secure a second Beaufine Stakes title.
Vizard won the feature sprint in 2008 before running a distant 10th to Ma Ma Machine in 2009 and eighth to For Your Eyes Only in 2010.
