MY CALL - MCNAIR SHOULD PLAY HIS UNDERDOG CARD

By David Fowler | Tuesday, April 26, 2011

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB, taking the position upon Wayne Wilson's retirement last August. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, will appear every Tuesday on HRO.

John McNair needs to tick the box marked "Queensland" with his brilliant sprinter Hay List.

Let's face it, if he doesn't come north, it will be one way traffic for Black Caviar in the BTC Cup on May 14.

But I reckon McNair isn't sold on the idea that Black Caviar is bulletproof and is itching at the chance to have another go at her.

It must be awfully frustrating for connections to have a horse as good as he is yet continually fall in the shadow of "Black Beauty".

One has to concede that Black Caviar has the measure of Hay List and the T.J. Smith at Randwick three weeks ago was ample proof of that.

But Hay List is a brilliant barrier horse who leads more often than not, whereas Black Caviar's recent racing pattern is to settle and then zoom home.

This is in no way meant to downgrade the champion mare, but what happens if she draws widely and is trapped deep in a race where Hay List was bowling in front. Could he beat her?

The Goodwood at Morphettville and the Kris Flyer at Kranji in Singapore are the other options on the table for Hay List, but the right mail suggests our Winter Carnival is the favoured option.

Black Caviar's presence is enough to make May 14 a sellout but Aussies love an underdog and that is the role Hay List is playing right at this moment.

And an underdog sometimes spoils the party!

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Rough Habit became an honorary Queenslander with his Winter Carnival raids in the nineties and the West Aussie Scenic Shot is starting to build a similar fan base.

It was a great thrill to call him home in the Members Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

He looks under the pump but just keeps grinding away and he and Shane Scriven are a popular, and winning, combination.

This is Scenic Shot's third visit to the Sunshine State and the eight-year-old seems as spritely as ever.

His appearance during the Carnival will be another highlight.

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Was Shane Scriven's five month suspension the right call from stipes?

I reckon it was but I was surprised how many I heard and spoke to who thought it was too long a stretch.

I'm not out to bag Shane, in fact, you'll recall I went into bat for him in last week's My Call.

But a bad mistake was made and, to be honest, playing the line that this could wipe him out for ever because of his age and known battle with weight is totally irrelevant to a judgement being made.

And I thought Ben Looker was lucky to escape with a two-weeker.

Plenty were baying for the blood of the stewards' panel but it was only Scott Kelly who erred because weight had already been declared when Daniel Aurisch and Martin Knibbs returned from their vantage points.

What punishment do you give? Sack him, stand him down. Maybe, maybe not.

Anyway, Scriven will give the appeal his best shot. The fire in his eyes after Scenic Shot and Magnum Forty Four won on the weekend certainly underlined that.

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HORSE TO FOLLOW: Wabeel is right on target for the Queensland Oaks after her third in the Princess Stakes on Saturday. She can stay and sprint in a way that any of her rivals can't do as well.

WHY IS IT SO?: No fixed odds markets were available for the Eagle Farm meeting on Monday. It was a Saturday city class standard card and fixed prices were available for selected Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide events.

Why not Brisbane? An answer next week.

RUMOR FILE UPDATE: Expect some interesting facts to come out of the Racing Queensland vs Queensland bookies stoush regarding Race Fields legislation payments.

It's a thorny issue that may have to be taken to a higher level.

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