Boom sprinter Hay List is set to resume racing for the season in the 2011 Expressway Stakes at the iconic Rosehill Racecourse on Saturday February 5.

Talented John McNair-trained five-year-old gelding Hay List caught the attention and the hearts of racing fans and punters right across the country during his sensational spring campaign scoring four successive Group wins last year.

A son of Group 1 winning speedster Statue Of Liberty, back in June Hay List claimed a devastating five length win in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m).

He continued that blistering form during the spring winning the Group 3 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 11, the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 24 and the Group 3 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 3 before ultimately finishing sixth behind unbeaten mare Black Caviar in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.

The $200,000 Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m), won by the likes of turf starts Saintly (1996), Lonhro (2003) and Mentality (2007), has been named by connections as the first-up run for Hay List in the autumn.

Trainer McNair will use the Expressway Stakes as a springboard for Hay List’s autumn campaign with Group 1 features including the Lightning Stakes (1000m) a fortnight later at Flemington where the big boy of sprinting will again face off against the brilliant Black Caviar.

Expressway Stakes Day marks the opening of the esteemed Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and along with Hay List the other top-liner tipped to contest the day’s feature is star mare Hot Danish.

Les Bridge’s seven-year-old daughter of Nothin’ Leica Dane, Hot Danish is sure to present Hay List with some fine competition having taken out races including the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m), Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m), Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 The Shorts (1200m) during 2010.

Hot Danish also ran second to Black Caviar in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) on October 23 before finishing 10 lengths away third behind Sacred Choice in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) last start at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.

Hay List has also been nominated for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 and is currently the second favourite in the online betting markets behind Black Caviar.

With two of New South Wales’ best sprinters set to clash in the 2011 Expressway Stakes, this is a showdown not to miss!

Nominations for the 2011 Expressway Stakes close on Monday January 31 with the final field announced on Wednesday February 2 and published right here at Races.com.au.

Get ready for the autumn features right now by opening an account with premier online bookie Luxbet and quote the codeword BONUSBET to get a free $400 bet!