Hay List Could Miss Newmarket

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 13:00

West Australian sprinter Hay List is only a “40/60 chance” to contest the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 6 according to trainer Jim Taylor after the galloper pulled up with a foot abscess following his victory in a 1000m trial at Belmont on Monday.

Winning the trial ahead of the former Danny O’Brien-trained Escadaire by only a length, Hay List stopped the clock in a time of 1:02.05 in comparison to last Monday over the same track and distance on the same going when he completed the journey in 1:01.38.

Speaking to Track Talk on Racing Radio in Perth, Taylor confirmed all was not right with the four-year-old.

“He was pretty sore yesterday and the cause of it was a foot abscess. We are treating his hoof at the moment and waiting for the abscess to burst,” Taylor said.

“I expected him to put about six lengths on his opposition yesterday, if he was to go to Melbourne and win a race like the Newmarket.”

Although Taylor concedes that it is unlikely Hay List will contest the Newmarket, the possibility remains.

“If the bruise bursts in the next 24 hours we are still a chance but he is not the sort of horse that can go too many days without working, so it does not look good.”

Prior to Monday’s setback, Hay List was scheduled to fly to Melbourne on March 2.

By Statue Of Liberty out of Sing Hallelujah, Hay List boasts an imposing record of eight wins from nine starts with just under $250,000 in prizemoney.

He suffered his only defeat last start when making his debut appearance in stakes company when sixth in the $202,000 Group 3 Colonel Reeves (1100m) at Ascot.

Brown, who has ridden Hay List at all racetrack appearances including trials, told stewards following that defeat that after bounding the start he allowed Hay List to stride forward and take the lead at the 600m where he travelled comfortably until mis-striding before the home turn.

According to Brown, Hay List slipped around the bend and weakened from that point onwards.

A post-race veterinary check revealed Hay List to be lame in his near foreleg ensuring Taylor sent him for a 13 week spell.

Picture: Greg Irvine