One of the country’s top-rated sprinters Hay List’s autumn racing campaign has been thrown into disarray with the Statue Of Liberty gelding in doubt for the 2011 Expressway Stakes after suffering an injury during a gallop at Rosehill on the weekend.
John McNair’s star galloper Hay List, a winner of 12 of his 15 career starts, was scheduled to resume racing in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday February 5.
On Saturday, however, Hay List jarred up after producing a brilliant gallop on an unsuitably firm Rosehill track and McNair has delayed a decision on whether Hay List will still start in the Expressway.
The hulking Hay List ran the final 600 meters of their gallop in a scintillating 31.84 seconds along with the David Payne-trained Centennial Park on Saturday, the run on the hard surface now taking its toll.
Depending on his rate of recovery over the week, Sydney punters may miss seeing Hay List at all this season with McNair considering saving him for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 19 for his first-up instead.
If Hay List runs in the 2011 Lightning Stakes, he will again face off against superstar mare Black Caviar after being beaten by Peter Moody’s undefeated queen by 11 ½ lengths in the Patinack Farm Classic on November 6.
Seemingly prone to injury, Hay List’s disappointing run in the Patinack last start was attributed to an earlier leg problem after he jumped into his water trough leading up to the race.
Prior to the Patinack, Hay List enjoyed three successive victories during the spring including the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley in late September.
The Expressway Stakes field will not be without its stars this year even if Hay List misses the race, with in-form mare Hot Danish and Mossman four-year-old Love Conquers All expected to run.
Nominations for the 2011 Expressway Stakes will be taken on Monday, January 31.
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