A study of the Newmarket Handicap weights this week will determine whether the Group One feature at Flemington is part of the autumn program for gun sprinter Hay List and heir apparent Rain Affair.
Trainer John McNair said the Challenge Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes were on the cards for Hay List but a decision on a Newmarket appearance on March 10 was likely to depend on the difference in weights between Hay List and a couple of key rivals.
The weights will be released on Tuesday.
“It will depend on the weights for the Newmarket. The concern is Foxwedge,” McNair said.
“He was two lengths behind us in the Lightning the other day and we’ll probably have to give him a pretty significant amount of weight.
“It’s not what weight he (Hay List) gets, it’s what he gets in relation to the likes of Foxwedge and Buffering.
“The limit, in my own mind, would be about seven kilos to Foxwedge and three kilos to Buffering.”
Rival trainer Joe Pride who prepares Rain Affair, will also study the handicaps before making a final decision.
Rain Affair notched his 10th win from 11 starts in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes (1400m) and the Newmarket would be his first attempt at a Group One victory.
“Before the Apollo win he was on about 54 kilos and I expect him to go up to 55 or 55-1/2,” he said.
“There’s a lot to consider because he has never been away before.
“I’d also want to give him a look at the straight course before the race.”
Hay List turned in a gallant display first-up from a long break when he tested champion Black Caviar in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington last Saturday week.
The champion mare beat Hay List by 1-3/4-lengths with Buffering two lengths away third, just ahead of Foxwedge.
McNair said Hay List had come through the Lightning in good order.
“He’ll go to Gosford on Tuesday to do a bit of work and we’ll work it out from there,” McNair said.
The Group Two Challenge Stakes (1000m), which Hay List won last year, is also an option for the powerhouse sprinter.
McNair said his main focus for the autumn was to win the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) with Hay List.
In the TJ Smith last year Hay List played his part in a memorable contest when he skipped for home up the rise and opened a break on Black Caviar.
The Peter Moody-trained champion was up for the challenge and reeled Hay List in before going on to score by 2-3/4-lengths in arguably the highlight of the Sydney autumn carnival.
