Trainer John McNair psyched himself up on Saturday morning believing Hay List was a realistic chance of ending the unbeaten run of champion mare Black Caviar.
And for a fleeting moment McNair got excited.
Hay List led the field up in the $1 million TJ Smith Stakes and kicked clear in the straight.
But the trainer’s excitement was short-lived as the horse everyone came to see went out after the powerhouse gelding and then surged away to the roar of the Randwick crowd to claim her 12th consecutive victory.
Even in defeat, McNair was a proud trainer.
“I came here thinking I could win and I got very excited (in the straight),” he said.
“I’m proud of the horse.
“I was very happy how he was today. I came up to the house after getting off his back this morning and the staff couldn’t believe it because I was singing.
“I grabbed the Manikato Stakes trophy and got myself in the zone … but she is just too good.”
McNair will now try to convince Hay List’s owners to run in the Group One All-Aged Stakes over 1400 metres at Randwick in two weeks.
“I have unfinished business in the race, I should have won it with Sovereign Kite many years ago,” McNair said.
Jockey Glyn Schofield sensed going to the barrier that if Hay List was to beat Black Caviar, Saturday would be his day.
“I thought today was our chance because when he went to the post he was feeling good,” Schofield said.
In the straight, he could hear the great mare mowing them down.
“I could hear her coming and then when it hit overdrive I could see her going,” he said.
“She’s phenomenal.”
 AAP TURF
