Hay List is likely to join a Melbourne stable for the Autumn Carnival

Connections of star sprinter Hay List are considering removing the horse from Gosford trainer John McNair.

The balky six-year-old gelding who hasn’t raced since May is currently in pre-training at Muskoka Farm (near Gosford) and ready to resume fast work.

Hay List,  the only horse to give champion mare Black Caviar a run for her money, has recovered from a leg infection that has kept him off the scene this spring.

Managing part-owner Terry Davenport said Hay List would likely join a Melbourne stable for Melbourne’s Autumn Carnival with Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh considered at the top of the list of possibilities.

Overseas plans for Hay List are possible depending on his success in Melbourne.

“Our main problem is Sydney or Melbourne – where we’re going to go,” Davenport said.

“That takes a certain amount of thought. I’m probably leaning more to Melbourne as their big carnival is coming up.

“We’ve had good offers to go overseas from the UK, Dubai and Hong Kong.

“He really needs to do his thing here first, but on the other hand, the UK is as good as it gets.”

Tentative plans has Hay List on a clash course with Black Caviar in the Group 2 $200,000 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 27 and Group 1 $400,000 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) February 11 and Group 1 $500,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) , both .at Caulfield.

The Group 1 $750,000  Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18 is an option if he is not ready in January.

Davenport said Hay List “looks a million dollars”.

“He’s been in light work and will be back on the scene shortly,” he said.

“He’s come back bigger and stronger and giving him plenty of time seems to be working.”

Hay List is a winner of 14 of 20 starts and $1.5m in prizemoney.

He has been beaten home by Black Caviar on four occasions, three when runner-up.

He has had a history of chronic hoof problems.