HAY, HAY, HAY – WHAT A DAY

There were plenty of happy faces at Moonee Valley on Friday night as Black Caviar notched up No. 17, but chances are there were none more joyous than the connections of her archrival, Hay List, who has bounced back from death’s door to record a confident trial win at Randwick earlier in the day.

Dreams of Hay List tipping Black Caviar off her lofty perch might well be confined to the big gelding’s immediate team, but on the other hand, a lot of folk reckon that, sans the champion mare, he is the best sprinter in the land.

Regardless of what side of the fence you cheer from, it warms the old heart to see Hay List back on track.

He came very close to being under the turf instead of flying over it and it will be very interesting to see how he goes in the Lightning.

Following is a report from ninemsn.

Equine talent abounded at Randwick’s barrier trials on Friday but there was no star bigger than comeback sprinter Hay List.

The powerhouse gelding reminded the racing public of his talent with a four-length victory over 1000m in his first appearance since he was struck down with a life-threatening leg infection last winter.

“He’s a super horse,” jockey Glyn Schofield said after the trial.

“He’s just a gentle giant. He’s come back fantastic from his injury-enforced spell which was longer than any of us wanted.

“But he’s back now and he’s feeling good. He did it without much fuss this morning and he’s right on track.”

Hay List was one of 11 Group One winners to trial at Randwick and trainer John McNair said he was confident the horse was on target for the Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 18.

“I was very happy with his trial and Glyn was happy which is the most important part,” McNair said.

“He’s a lot more relaxed this time in. Even out of the barriers he just jumped and was happy to do whatever Glyn wanted him to do and I suspect that’s probably because he’s free of pain in his front feet.

“We’ve still got a few little niggly issues with his back feet but I’m expecting and hoping in the next 14 days they’ll come right.”

McNair plans to trial Hay List again before the Lightning.

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