The world’s second best sprinter has enjoyed a day out with little of the fanfare that surrounds the upcoming appearance by Black Caviar at Caulfield on Saturday.
Hay List made the short trip from his home at Somersby to the Wyong races where he had a leisurely gallop up the straight with regular race rider Glyn Schofield aboard.
Trainer John McNair decided on the surprise outing to get the horse back in the swing of things as he prepares him for a return to racing after career-threatening illness and injury.
The winner of the 2012 Newmarket Handicap for which he received an international rating of 125, Hay List hasn’t raced since finishing second to Foxwedge in the William Reid Stakes in March last year.
He suffered a leg injury when he slipped trying to get up after colic surgery in April and his future on the track was in grave doubt.
But as he has before, the gelding has shown remarkable powers of recovery and McNair is getting him ready for an autumn/winter campaign.
The trainer would like to run him in the TJ Smith (1200m) at Randwick on April 13 but a lack of suitable weight-for-age lead-up races could mean Hay List heads to Brisbane.
McNair is adamant Hay List will no longer contest handicaps.
Schofield didn’t put Hay List under any pressure as he brought him up the middle of the track but said he was happy with how he felt underneath him.
“His action felt very good and all the early signs are good,” Schofield told Sky Racing.
“It’s just the second time I’ve been on his back since the injury and he feels very good to me.
“He is carrying a bit of extra weight.”
McNair said he had not put Hay List on the scales but his eyes told him he was about 630 to 635 kilograms which is around 30kg over his ideal racing weight.
Black Caviar, who will have an exhibition gallop between races at Caulfield on Saturday, is scheduled to have her first race start since Royal Ascot in the Lightning Stakes on February 16.
Hay List’s four Group One seconds behind the mare include the past two runnings of the Lightning.
