Hay List to take his place in T J Smith

Grand sprinter Hay List received the all clear to take his place in the Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday after pleasing connections with an early morning gallop at Gosford this morning.

Hay List

Hay List is to take his place in the T J Smith at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Jockey Glyn Schofield was far from happy with Hay List after the seven year old galloped well below expectations in between races at Wyong on Sunday with trainer John McNair wanting to see some improvement before committing to a start on Saturday.

“I don’t know what happened on Sunday because he felt good today,” Schofield said.

“Today he made Sunday seem like it was 100 years ago.

“He wasn’t out to break records but he didn’t want to hang at all today and felt strong and great.”

Hay List will be lining up against Black Caviar in the T J Smith again after finishing second two years ago, making the huge Randwick crowd roar when he skipped away in the straight before being run down by the mighty mare in a race that trainer Peter Moody describes as one of her best wins.

The multiple Group 1 winner  has finished second to Black Caviar on four occasions at Group 1 level including twice in the Lightning down the Flemington straight and also in the 2011 $400,000 Bundaberg Distilling Co. BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben at the great mare’s only Brisbane appearance.

Hay List has had one run back from a lengthy spell following knee surgery and knocked up noticeably in the straight when fourth to Snitzerland in the Group 2 $175,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Warwick Farm on March 16.

Then McNair was forced to miss the Group 1 $350,000 Canterbury BMW Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 30 because of a re-occurrence of a hoof injury that has troubled the seven year old over a long period of time.

“He’s obviously probably not as fit as we’d have liked. He missed a run, he missed a trial, but he needs to run to get him to the All Aged,” Schofield said.

“Nothing has gone right for him this prep and it’s all worked against him.”

Hay List has drawn barrier nine in the eleven horse field with Black Caviar coming up with the inside gate giving Luke Nolen the job of getting her off the fence at some stage during the race.

Galaxy winner Bel Sprinter will jump from gate two and connection will be hoping for a clean getaway with the five year old having a history of bungling the start.

Bel Sprinter had to overcome another slow getaway last start before scoring his initial Group 1 victory in the Galaxy.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.