Jockey Glyn Schofield will go to Flemington tomorrow with some relief but he knows he still has a daunting task ahead of him on Hay List in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
The top Sydney jockey had his nine meeting suspension for careless riding cut to seven on appeal but will still miss the ride on Manawanui in the Group 1 $500,000 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 17.
Schofield was suspended by Racing New South Stewards for interference he caused on Manawanui in the Group 2 $200,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday and his time will begin after tomorrow’s Flemington meeting.
Stewards found that Schofield hampered second past the post Wild And Proud who was promoted to first place after Nash Rawiller’s objection was upheld.
But Schofield will have more on his mind when he hops aboard Hay List who will be attempting to set a modern day weight carrying record if he wins the Newmarket with 58.5kg.
Even with Black Caviar out of the way the $1m sprint is full of depth including Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim, Group 1 winners Toorak Toff, Albert The Fat and Beaded and Sydney sensation Rain Affair.
“If he wins he deserves a bit more than praise,” Schofield said.
“He’s up against it when he’s got to bump into Black Caviar and now the handicapper has given him a tough task.”
“He doesn’t go around without some sort of challenge in front of him and he just keeps lining up and doing his best every time.”
Schofield wasn’t disappointed when Hay List put Black Caviar to the test when second to the mighty mare in the Group 1 $750,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18 and knows that the six year old took some good out of the race.
“He’s got to be race fit to push her all the way. But without doubt he is a fitter horse after having a run and his stats show that.”
Schofield describes Hay List as a super horse to perform like he did, coming back after a serious injury which required a lot of time off and believes he will be able to handle the impost of 58.5kg.
Hay List has two Group 1s to his credit but has four seconds to Black Caviar all at Group 1 level and is there is no doubt that he is the second best sprinter in Australia.
“I think he is up to it, he will handle the weight,” he said.
“Without Black Caviar around he’s probably won his last seven straight and people are thinking he is something super. I hope he gets the chance to prove it in the Newmarket.”
