All eyes will be on top contenders War Machine and Smart Machine when the traditional Boxing Day harness stakes races take centre stage at the National Equestrian Centre on Thursday.

The Free for All rivals are heading into the popular event holding a share of the season’s fastest time to date (1.02.1) and are among the firm favourites to claim bragging rights in their respective divisions.

War Machine will line up alongside fellow geldings Rockeyed Optimist and Special Gold in the Aged Stakes, while Smart Machine, also a gelding, is competing against sole rival Holy Grail in the 3-Year-Old Stakes.

Smart Machine, the son of track-record holder Big Red Machine, was the first to record the season’s fastest time before War Machine equalled the feat.

“Smart Machine has been running extremely well,” owner/driver Candyce Martins told The Royal Gazette.

“He has made it into Free for All and I am very pleased with his performance and excited to go into stakes races with him.

“This is a pony I have owned since a yearling so I have started from the beginning to get him where he is today.”

War Machine’s owner Colin Mello hopes his pony will bring his best form on the big day.

“Hopefully he keeps running good,” Mello said.

“It’s been a bit up and down, but hopefully the best is to come. The others in the race are in pretty good form as well, so hopefully there will be good races.”

Martins has her hands full as she is also competing in the 2-Year-Old and 4-Year-Old Stakes with mares Victoria’s Secret and Rockin My Business, owned by Cindy Mayeaux and Callum Cunningham.

“Victoria’s Secret is coming along nicely and still finding her feet on the track,” she said.

“Rockin My Business started late this season but is improving.”

Stallion Gold Rush, the brother of Special Gold, and gelding Huntingforgold are the remaining ponies in the 2-Year-Old Stakes while Red October, also a gelding, races in the 4-Year-Old Stakes.

Racing begins at 1pm.