The Stradbroke Handicap is back on the radar for Hay List along with a possible switch in training venues while he is in Queensland.
Trainer John McNair is now looking at every option for Hay List who will clash for a fifth time with the world’s best sprinter Black Caviar in the Group One Doomben 10,000 on Saturday week.
“I don’t want people to start backing him as it’s more likely he won’t run in the Stradbroke,” McNair said.
“But if he happened to win the 10,000 it would be silly not to take it on.
“If he got towelled again then there’s no point going on to the Stradbroke.”
Black Caviar has topweight of 60.5 kilograms in the $1 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 11, a weight no mare has carried to victory.
Hay List, who will be reunited with jockey Glyn Schofield in the Doomben 10,000, has 57.5kg.
Schofield will make his comeback at Rosehill on Saturday following three weeks recovering from injuries suffered in last month’s Sydney Cup fall.
He will then fly to Singapore to ride Gitano Hernando in Sunday’s Singapore Airlines International Cup.
McNair considered switching training venues this week ahead of the Hay List’s Doomben 10,000 clash with Black Caviar.
He drove to inspect stables away from Eagle Farm on Tuesday but returned to Brisbane due to a lengthy delays caused by a traffic accident.
“I’m still going to look at finding him a new stable but he won’t move now before the 10,000,” McNair said.
“I’d just like to see him in an environment that is quieter but it’s hard to find.”
Hay List gave McNair a fright at trackwork on Tuesday.
“I made a fatal mistake of taking him for a swim after work and he got stirred up,” McNair said.
“I was a bit worried he might jump on himself. He carries on like a girl at times.”
McNair plans to increase Hay List’s workload as he bids to end Black Caviar’s unbeaten streak of 13 wins.
“I’ve never tried to bottom this horse out and serve the work up to him,” he said.
“I’ve always tried to leave something there for raceday. But I’ve made a decision to throw everything at him in trackwork.
“Nothing has worked so far. If he can get a big enough lead it might make her (Black Caviar) take off earlier.
“I’ll give Hay List a normal gallop tomorrow but I’ll really serve it up to him on Saturday morning.”
AAP TURF
