War Machine lived up to his name with an explosive display to win the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm for the Hayes brothers.

Ridden by Tim Clark, the winner of 59 races in Hong Kong including the 2013 Classic Cup on It Has To Be You, the Harry Angel gelding settled just forward of midfield, sitting three wide with cover.

Hooked out on the turn, War Machine charged home down the outside and readily collared the leaders, winning by just under a length from a fast-finishing Yellow Brick.

The $2.6 favourite was a popular winner for brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who are the sons of Hong Kong trainer David Hayes, and co-trainer Ben was full of emotion post-race.

“We’re very proud, it was an amazing result today,” Ben Hayes said. “We’re fortunate to be able to get that horse from Mike Moroney and he’s an amazing, exciting horse.

“It’s funny, a lot of people expect him to be a big, powerful horse. But he’s got a physique like Mr Brightside, so hopefully he’s the same.”

And a humble Clark, who rode the perfect race, deflected all praise onto his willing partner and the trainers.

“He travelled so well, I probably let him loose a bit early. But this was the grand final, there’s no tomorrow, so I wasn’t going to die wondering,” said Clark.

“He let rip, really let rip. Maybe just wandered a little bit late. He could feel Yellow Brick coming late and sort of surged again.

“I can’t take too much credit for it. What a great job by Ben and his brothers to just have him spot on for today. I was just the lucky one to get the call up.”