FLEM OCT 03 - HAY LIST’S ROMP CONTINUES

By Taron Clarke | Monday, October 4, 2010

Flemington, October 3, 2010.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - Out 9m. Penetrometer 4.77.
Gilgai Stakes (Group 2) 3YO+ Open SW+P - 1200m.
Time: 1-08.20. 600m Sectional: 33.66. (Carrying 57kg).
1 Hay List; 2 Catapulted; 3 Chasm.
Margins: 1.3L x 0.1L.

Hay List as expected demolished his field of rivals in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes run down the Flemington straight six on Sunday afternoon.

The race was given an extra boost by the racetrack return of the forgotten hero from last year’s autumn and spring carnival hero Weekend Hussler.

Partnered for the first time by Glen Boss, the peoples champion was making a return to the track after an injury he sustained in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in February.

On the quick backup from his devastating victory last Friday night in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, the John McNair trained Hay List was sent out a pronounced odds-on favourite with on course bookmakers.

Ridden by regular rider Glyn Schofield the pair jumped from barrier nine in the field of thirteen.

In his first ever start down the Flemington straight, Hay List handled it like a professional racing in the leading division throughout the 1200 metre scamper.

The bulk of the short course sprinters came down the crown of the track with Hay List and Catapulted leading the field on to the course proper at the 500 metre mark.

The hulking son of Statue of Liberty surged to a clear length-and-a-half lead inside the 300 metre mark without being fully extended.

Schofield reined up the Gosford galloper inside the furlong and with scenes reminiscent of grand old West Australian galloper Placid Ark, Hay List bounded away by two lengths over Catapulted.

With a sustained look at the on-course big screen, jockey Glyn Schofield eased the gelding down over the final 100 metres and with and exaggerated pump of the fist and a pat down the off side neck, Hay List and Schofield trotted in to score as all odds-on favourites should by a length and a half over the heart broken Catapulted with a further nose back to Chasm who flashed home late to grab third.

Hay List took his impeccable race record to fourteen starts for twelve victories and prize money just under one million dollars.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John McNair: “I’ve never worried like this about my other horses. I’ve never been a nervous person, but with this horse it’s just constant.

“He took fright at something yesterday and lashed out and kicked a car. He’s done a fair bit of damage to the car, but fortunately none to himself.

“Smart horses, intelligent horses, they respond and overcome everything.

“There’s still improvement there. I’m not going to get too far ahead just yet, but I can tell you that I’m very happy with how things are at the present time.”

Jockey Glyn Schofield: “The only problem is the ride doesn’t go long enough. It’s over in a flash. You’ve got to enjoy it for as long as you can, but gee he’s impressive!

“He’s phenomenal. It never felt like I was out of third gear or fourth gear at any stage of the race. He was just coasting.

“Once I asked for a little extra to get away from Catapulted it was race over.

“He’s a natural athlete and a true racehorse.

“It will be nice to see if someone can put pressure on him so he has to stretch because I think there’s plenty left.”

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

Horse to Follow: It is hard to see any horse in the Southern Hemisphere beating Hay List at the moment. His three runs this time in have been devastating to the point where he is getting better and better with each run. Frightening stuff for a horse that has been so sparingly raced.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After the running of Race 4 the Club’s veterinary surgeon advised the Stewards that he had examined Hay List at the request of the trainer as a precaution when it arrived on course as the gelding had kicked a motor vehicle on the way to the beach yesterday morning.

The Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that the gelding is not showing any signs of any ailment and is fit to run.

On jumping away Perturbo shifted out abruptly and bumped Sniper’s Bullet.

Good Control hung out for a major part of the straight.

G Boss (Weekend Hussler) could offer no excuses for the overall performance of the gelding today and he added that his mount felt good in its action.

A precautionary veterinary examination after the race revealed Weekend Hussler to be mildly lame in the off-fore leg and trainer Mr R McDonald was advised a veterinary certificate of fitness is required prior to the gelding racing again.

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