Hay List has more problems than most horses and has found a few new ones this autumn but trainer John McNair is still hopeful of getting him back to Group One winning form.
The seven-year-old will be nominated for Saturday’s All Aged Stakes but won’t run unless he convinces the trainer he is fit enough to be competitive.
McNair has been playing catch-up with Hay List over recent weeks, treating a hoof abscess as well as a breathing problem which surfaced in the TJ Smith Stakes, Black Caviar’s last hurrah.
Glyn Schofield worked Hay List at Gosford on Sunday morning and said he thought the horse had still wheezed slightly on pulling up after a good hit-out.
“He’ll be nominated for the All Aged,” McNair said.
“We have finally conquered his back foot issue and as long as his lungs are OK he will run.”
Hay List will be given a fast gallop on Tuesday to ensure his fitness.
If he doesn’t run in the All Aged, McNair will look at the BTC Cup and the Doomben 10,000 during the Brisbane winter carnival.
Schofield missed the ride on Hay List in the 2011 All Aged Stakes after falling during the Sydney Cup on the same day with Glen Boss snaring the Group One win.
This year’s All Aged is likely to be the last time Australia sees Black Caviar’s half brother All Too Hard who will join Vinery’s stallion roster in the spring although a trip to Royal Ascot in June is still in the mix.
Pin-up mare More Joyous will also run in the All Aged as will 2010 Doncaster Mile winner Rangirangdoo as he prepares for his final campaign.
Hay List has four Group One seconds to Black Caviar on his resume and was rated the second best sprinter in the world on last year’s international rankings for his win in the Newmarket Handicap.
