Hay List is preparing to take on unbeaten mare Black Caviar in the 2011 TJ Smith Stakes
Statue Of Liberty five-year-old Hay List was the second-favourite in the Newmarket Handicap betting at Luxbet where he was to take on Peter Moody’s unbeaten mare Black Caviar for the third time.
Hay List, however, was an early scratching from the $1 million showdown on veterinarian advice after suffering from soreness in his off side right shoulder.
Reportedly making a rapid recovery, New South Wales speedster Hay List is set to make a comeback in the $175,000 Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Sunday March 27.
McNair will then nominate his stable forerunner for the $1 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday April 9 where an unavoidable clash with Black Caviar is on the cards.
Black Caviar stamped her authority as Australia’s premier sprinter with a runaway victory in the 2011 Newmarket Handicap, becoming not only a triple Group 1 winner but also breaking the record as the country’s first racehorse to win their first 10 starts consecutively on metropolitan tracks.
A winner of 12 of his 16 starts to date, Hay List has twice faced off against Black Caviar for two large defeats.
The first showdown between the sprint stars took place on Emirates Stakes Day last year where Black Caviar easily got the better of Hay List winning the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) with ease while an injury marred lead-up saw Hay List finish a well beaten sixth.
The pair met again in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington 19, and although improved in running second, Hay List was still far from in the same league as emphatic winner Black Caviar.
Another hopeful horse heading towards a run for second behind Black Caviar in the Randwick feature is dual Group 1 winning Queenslander Shoot Out set to resume in the TJ Smith Stakes.
The 2011 TJ Smith Stakes final field and betting will be released on Wednesday April 6.
Be the first to back Black Caviar to win or be brave and bet on an upset TJ Smith Stakes result at the best price by signing up with Luxbet today.
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Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
