Hay List will take on Black Caviar again in the TJ Smith Stakes
Hay List will attempt the impossible again in the TJ Smith Stakes when he attempts to bring down the unstoppable Black Caviar.
He’s met her twice before at group 1 level and both times finished lengths away and could only claim being ‘best of the rest’.
Hay List was due to face off a third time in the Newmarket Handicap and that would have been his best chance with a good barrier draw and better off in weight but he was scratched due to soreness.
He made a good return to the track two weeks ago when he won the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Warwick Farm.
Unfortunately in the TJ Smith he faces Black Caviar with a familiarly poor barrier draw as well as with a couple of kilos extra on his back.
In fact the only thing different form their last clash is that barely a word has been spoken about Hay List in the lead up to the event.
Last check on online bookmaker Luxbet.com he was a $19 chance to find the extra five elngths he needs.
His jockey Glyn Schofield is aware of the monumental task facing him at Randwick.
“He’s got a win behind his name again which is a good confidence boost for him,” he said.
“It wasn’t the greatest bit of confidence with the way he won (the Challenge Stakes), it was a bit of a scramble I must admit, but at least he won.
“I gave him a bit of a workout on Monday and he definitely feels like he has improved from that run fitness-wise.
“It’s nice for him to be putting two runs together because with a stop-start preparation you’re always behind the eight ball.
“He’s had a run and then two weeks into his second run and we know by his form that his second run is always better than his first.”
Black Caviar is a huge odds on favourite to claim the TJ Smith Stakes and extend her winning streak to 12 from 12.
It will be her first run outside of Victoria and her first right-handed test under full race conditions.
This isn’t enough to worry too many punters but it is enough to give Schofield a bit of optimism.
“We know how good she is now and it’s not an easy task to beat her but I’ve said that the longer they go unbeaten the more chance there is of them getting beaten,” he said.
“And when that time comes I’m hoping it’s us that can beat her.”
