Black Caviar’s arch rival Hay List is on track for a return in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 18.

Hay List has been spelled since his second placing to Black caviar in the Group 1 BTC Cup in Brisbane last May.

The now six-year-old fell victim to a leg injury and a bout of the deadly colic.

Hay List has since made a full recovery and is expected to make a grand showing during the autumn racing carnival.

The Statue Of Liberty gelding impressed jockey Glyn Schofield when winning his 1,000 metre trial at Randwick last Friday before proving his talent once again at a track gallop today.

Hay List proved he was ready for a race return in the Lightning Stakes after easily tackling the gallop at Gosford.

“He went nicely this morning and has progressed well since his trial last week,” Schofield said.

“He’s obviously tightened up with each piece of work and I was very happy with him this morning.

“I think he’s going to have another trial and that will show us exactly where he’s at.

“But at the moment I’m very happy and there are no problems.”

Hay List’s public battle against champion mare Black Caviar has been well documented over the past 18 months, with their first meeting being in the Group 1 Patinack  Farm Classic at Flemington in November 2010.

The John McNair-trained Hay List was never able to out run his speedy competitor, leading to a string of Group 1 second placings in 2011.

However, the gelding won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes convincingly at Randwick last preparation, when Black Caviar did not compete.

Hay List has won 14 of his 20 race starts and has earned more than $1.7 million in prize money.