Weight will determine whether Hay List runs in the Galaxy but a proposed cash injection for the All Aged Stakes would certainly put that race on his program.
Trainer John McNair is exploring all options for the comeback sprinter with next Saturday’s Galaxy (1100m) in the right place as a lead-up to the TJ Smith two weeks later.
But with Hay List likely to get more than 60kg, McNair is reluctant to put him under that kind of pressure at his second run back from a year-long injury break.
“I don’t understand why they have a handicap as the lead-in to the major sprint of the carnival,” McNair said.
“If he gets more than 60 kilos he won’t run.
“The Challenge Stakes used to be two weeks before the TJ.
“We will look at all options including the Goodwood in Adelaide but if they get the million dollars for the All Aged then we can go there.”
Gai Waterhouse and John Singleton started a campaign to get the priz emoney increased for the All Aged on April 27.
Singleton issued the challenge to Black Caviar’s owners to run her in the race against his mare More Joyous with Pierrot and All Too Hard among the names now in the mix.
Black Caviar is unlikely but the Australian Turf Club is looking at the possibility of adding a bonus to the All Aged purse.
While McNair is unhappy with the weight Hay List is likely to get for the Galaxy, the good news is the horse has come through his fourth in the Challenge Stakes on March 16 in good order.
Challenge Stakes winner Snitzerland is a definite Galaxy runner with trainer Gerald Ryan excited about her prospects.
However, Ryan says he will also have a problem with the weight if the three-year-old filly is too close to Hay List.
“There was 4-1/2 kilos between them in the Challenge at weight-for-age,” Ryan said.
“In a handicap she should be getting at least 7-1/2 kilos from him and because, she’s a filly, another two kilos.
“But Racing New South Wales can’t tell me what rating she has got so I don’t know.
“But she’s a three-year-old filly who hasn’t won a Group One race yet.”
