John McNair wasn’t surprised to hear of Peter Moody’s decision to send unbeaten superstar Black Caviar for a spell and miss the Doomben 10,000.
But it certainly didn’t stop the trainer from welcoming the news.
“I’ll give you one word – woohoo,” McNair said.
“That’s one word that says a thousand.”
The McNair-trained Hay List has finished second to Black Caviar in three Group One sprints this season.
With Black Caviar ruled out of the 10,000 at Doomben on Saturday week, Hay List is a dominant favourite for the 1350 metre weight-for-age event.
In a revised market, TAB Sportsbet posted Hay List at $1.60, well ahead of Beaded on the second line of betting at $6.50.
“I think looking at her (Black Caviar) in the yard the other day it doesn’t surprise me,” McNair said of the Moody camp’s decision to spell Black Caviar.
“I think she’s just come to the end of her preparation and Peter was smart enough to know it. It’s better to do this than go there and get beaten.”
McNair said Hay List, a Group One winner of the Manikato Stakes and All-Aged Stakes, had come through his second to Black Caviar in last Saturday’s Group One BTC Cup (1200m) in great order.
“He’s come through the race exceptionally well and I think this run (in the Doomben 10,000) will probably pull us up, more than likely,” he said.
“He’s a bit like her, he’s had a long preparation. We won’t make any decisions until after Saturday week’s race.
“All I’m focussing on is Saturday week’s race and now she’s gone I’ll just be terribly careful now because the last thing we want is something to go wrong with him.”
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