Top jockey Glyn Schofield returned with a glowing report on super sprinter Hay List after an easy barrier trial win at Wyong today.
Schofield who is Hay List’s regular jockey made the trip to Wyong to partner him in a 1000m trial and was very happy with the result.
Trainer John McNair had to keep his stable star up to the mark for next week’s Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington and Schofield said the six year old felt terrific.
“It was wet up there,” Schofield said. “He wasn’t there to break any records but he did what we wanted from him.
“I stayed probably six to eight horses off the inside to get into the better ground and eased him down about 100 metres from home.
“As he does, he stopped pretty quickly, but he was too good. I’m very happy with him.”
Schofield didn’t knock the Newmarket favourite around and eased him down on the heavy track to win by one and a quarter lengths in 1.0.99 for the 1000m with a last 600m sectional of 35.47s.
McNair wasn’t keen to run Hay List in the Newmarket when he was allocated 58.5kg saying that Buffering (54.5kg) and in particular Foxwedge (50kg) were very well weighted compared to him.
But he was over ruled when managing owner Terry Davenport insisted that he run.
“It remains very much a key target in the program,” Davenport said.
“If we were to miss the Newmarket, it would have thrown the program out of rhythm a little bit.”
“The Newmarket was always a focal point and he’s been training him to race in that race and give it a fair shake,” he said.
“It hasn’t been a last-minute or a rash decision, but when you’ve got a good horse you’ve got to be wary of all the angles.”
With Black Caviar in the paddock resting before Peter Moody returns her to training in preparation for England, Hay List gets his chance to win the Newmarket in her absence.
The multiple Group 1 winner has four seconds to the unbeaten champ including a last start one and three quarter second in the Group 1 $750,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington two weeks ago.
Hay list is currently $2.80 favourite for the Newmarket ahead of Bel Sprinter at $5 with new Sydney sensation Rain Affair at $6.
