MV SEPT 24 - HAY LIST A SPRINTING SENSATION

By Taron Clarke | Sunday, September 26, 2010

Moonee Valley, September 24, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - Out 3m. Penetrometer 4.63.
Manikato Stakes (Group 1) Weight for Age - 1200m.
Time: 1-09.99. 600m Sectional: 34.20. (Carrying 58.5kg).
1 Hay List; 2 True Persuasion; 3 Eagle Falls.
Margins: 2.5L x 0.3L.

Hay List continued his winning form by impressively taking out the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The John McNair trained gelding took his record to an impressive thirteen starts for eleven wins and one minor placing.

Regular rider Glyn Schofield retained the mount and the pair started as a prohibitive odds on favourite for the $500,000 event.

The starter caught the line as one, with the favourite Hay List copping a small bump from Reward for Effort shortly after jumping.

The son of Eliza Park Stud stallion Stature Of Liberty quickly mustered speed to drive up along the fence and retain the lead after the field had gone 150 metres.

Natural speedster Reward for Effort and stable jockey Luke Nolen were keen not to let the hot-pot get too far away and the pair raced up to eyeball the hulking frame of Hay List inside the turn at the 800 metre mark.

This duo raced out two lengths to the good of True Persuasion and last start flop Love Conquers All on his outside.

David Hayes’ galloper Eagle Falls and Damien Oliver settled on the back of True Persuasion with the Bart Cummings trained sprinter Latin News on his outside.

At the rear of the small but select field of sprinters was consistent grey gelding Stanzout and last of all was Group 1 sprinter All Silent for jockey Blake Shinn. All Silent and Shinn spotted the favourite Hay List some eight lengths.

Schofield and Hay List sent the field along at a good clip and the entire field bar the leader was off the bridle as the field commenced the turn for home.

Hay List surged around the final corner a length and a half in front of Reward for Effort who could do no more. True Persuasion for jockey Craig Newitt and Mick Price railed strongly and was responding to the jockey’s urgings.

Back in the ruck of runners Eagle Falls was manoeuvred off the fence by Oliver and brought around the heels of Reward for Effort in the early part of the straight.

With the frame of an Abrams Tank Hay List balanced up and Schofield released the hand brake and the former Westralian galloper went into overdrive putting up two lengths to the good of True Persuasion and Eagle Falls on the outside.

Over the concluding 75 metres jockey Glyn Schofield sat up on Hay List and the pair went on to score the most comfortable of Group 1 victories one could imagine.

Hay List had two and a half lengths to spare over True Persuasion who ran the race of his life to claim second a small margin in front of Eagle Falls.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John McNair: “We expected him to get left behind at least a neck at the start. That's par for the course for him.

"Glyn was always going to be positive on him and once he got to the front and relaxed I was happy. When Reward For Effort took him on I was slightly concerned then he dropped off.

"I was thinking 'this horse has such an enormous cruising speed, let's see how much he can cruise'.
"I do think he's got plenty of improvement in him and I actually think he goes better in the other (right handed) direction.

"I'm actually looking forward to running him up the straight too.

"I think he's a very, very good horse and we'll find out how good when he goes up the straight.

Jockey Glyn Schofield: "He's just a perfect racehorse.
"He's gone left-handed and right-handed and blown them all away.

“John (McNair) was concerned with the lights tonight, but that's proven to be null and void and I'm hoping it will be the same down the straight.

"He's definitely the most exciting horse I've ridden in many, many years and I think the best is still to come.

"He wasn't really ready (at the jump). I think he tried to anticipate the start and he started to dance around a bit.

"Even though he missed it by a head or a neck he's so quick he recovers in three strides and he took control of the race and from that point on it was never in doubt.

"It's not just his cruising speed. He can sit off them as well if they go too hard. He can take a sit as he did last time in the McEwen."

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hay List): 1.50 out to 1.55 into 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.

Horse to follow: Hay List is without doubt Australia’s premier sprinter at the present time.

With a sustained burst of speed he disposed of a quality field of short course horses. A very adaptable galloper with an imposing winning record, trainer John McNair will now turn his sights to the straight track of Flemington.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hay List jumped away awkwardly and was then bumped by Reward For Effort which shifted in slightly.

J Cassidy (Love Conquers All) reported that his mount would be better suited on a bigger track and step up in distance.

Trainer Mr P Moody reported that Reward For Effort got its tongue over the bit and in his opinion resulted in the horse choking down.

A post-race veterinary examination of Reward For Effort revealed no abnormalities.

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