Stewards have ordered Hay List to undergo a veterinary inspection before the BTC Cup
There has been a slight hiccup in Hay List’s preparation for this Saturday’s BTC Cup, with stewards ordering that a thorough veterinary inspection of the horse takes place after he threw a shoe in trackwork at Gosford on Monday.
Queensland’s chief racing steward Wade Birch is the person who asked for the mandatory vet check.
“I’ll ring John and if need be we’ll get our own vet to inspect the horse,” Mr Birch said.
“It’s a Group One race and in circumstances like this we may need an inspection to ensure Hay List is fit and suitable to race.”
Trainer John McNair is not at all fazed by the prospect of a veterinary examination before the race.
“I’m not too concerned,” McNair said
“If stewards want to vet him I won’t lose any sleep over it.”
McNair said that Hay List often throws his shoe and there is never a problem afterwards.
“There’s no damage and it’s a regular occurrence with him,” McNair said.
“He didn’t do any damage like he has done in the past.
“The vet I’ve got is very clever and he was quick to fix him.”
Hay List will remain in Gosford until Thursday night, with his trainer choosing to bring him up at the last moment possible.
“I know what the pressure is like and what Peter (Moody) must be going through up in Brisbane,” McNair said.
“I copped the same pressure before Hay List won the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“All the pressure got a bit too much for me.”
In Brisbane Hay List will attempt to take on Black Caviar as she attempts to win her 13th unbeaten race in the BTC Cup.
McNair is confident that Hay List’s current form could see him win the race.
“Over 1200 metres Black Caviar seems to have our measure but once they step out further in distance it’ll be a different story,” McNair said.
“We’ve met three times and so far it’s three-zip to Black Caviar.
“I just hope we can get on a dead track.
“The first time Hay List met her he was injured and the second time he hurt his shoulder coming out of the gates.
“When they met the last time in the TJ Smith he went into the race after the Challenge Stakes which he only just won after missing a bit of work.”
