Glyn Schofield put Lightning Stakes-bound Hay List through his paces at Gosford on Wednesday as the comeback sprinter continued his build up towards a race return.
Hay List impressed with a four-length barrier trial win over 1000m at Randwick last Friday and Schofield said the dual Group One winner had taken another step forward since that trial.
“He went nicely this morning and has progressed well since his trial last week,” Schofield said.
“He’s obviously tightened up with each piece of work and I was very happy with him this morning.
“I think he’s going to have another trial and that will show us exactly where he’s at. But at the moment I’m very happy and there are no problems.”
The John McNair-trained Hay List is set to make his first race appearance since May in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18.
However, Schofield could face a dilemma.
He is also the jockey of Manawanui who could resume in the Royal Sovereign Stakes in Sydney on the same day.
Trainer Ron Leemon, who prepares Group One winner Manawanui, will also nominate his charge for Saturday week’s Expressway Stakes (1200m).
Leemon has said he will make a decision on whether Manawanui resumes against the older horses after seeing the Expressway field and after Manawanui barrier trials in Sydney on Tuesday.
If Manawanui starts in the Expressway it will avoid a clash for Schofield.
Schofield partnered Manawanui in work on Tuesday morning and is also delighted with the Golden Rose winner’s progress.
“Again, he’s tightened since his first trial and he has another one next week so both horses are on track,” Schofield said.
“We’ll just have to wait and see where the two horses go.
“There’s a long way to go yet but from my perspective both horses are lining up towards their races in good shape.”
AAP TURF
