Last Ditch Ploy To Get Hay List To Adelaide

After being ruled out of the Group 1 Goodwood earlier in the week there now appears to be a glimmer of hope for South Australia to secure Hay List at Morphettville Racecourse.

Executive of the South Australian Jockey club Brenton Wilkinson said that the club was trying to secure sponsors to foot the approximate $55,000 bill to get the horse a plane to and from Adelaide.

“John will nominate the horse today because nominations close at 12 o’clock and that will give us another 48 hours to try and lock away some travel plans and talk to some sponsors about coming up with some money to the SAJC secure the horse for the Goodwood,” Wilkinson said.

“We’re talking return $50,000 or $60,000.

“It’s not a cheap exercise so we’ve got some talking to do in the next couple of days.”

“We will also look at the option of whether we can organise a flight, rather than going back to Sydney, whether we can get a flight to Brisbane for him.”

McNair seemed very interested in taking his star sprinter to Adelaide earlier in the week but with logistics proving to be an expensive nightmare it seemed he became completely focussed on the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

With one last hope now available his thoughts could once again shift back to Adelaide Group 1 glory.

Wilkinson is keen to secure Hay List as a starter on the back of Takeover Target which travelled in 2009 and captivated the city with his win in the Goodwood over I Am Invincible.

“It’s a huge publicity opportunity for South Australia and for somebody to get involved with,” he said.

“I think he would help us double the crowd on the day and for local patrons in South Australia to be able to go to Derby day and see a horse of the calibre of Hay List, as they did on Takeover Target day, we could expect a huge crowd.”

“It’s a large amount of money in a short time but we have to have a crack at it.”

McNair would love the chance to give Hay List another run before Brisbane given he’s in career best form and ahead of every other sprinter in the country except for the unconquerable Black Caviar.

He’s no longer concerned about a fourth defeat at the hands of the unbeaten mare, only that a three week gap between runs might rob Hay List of showing his best form.

“To be honest, instead of worrying about Black Caviar, I’m almost starting to look forward to it,” he said.

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