Racing: Fever puts Hay List out of feature

Photo / Richard Robinson

SYDNEY - An elevated temperature has forced drawcard sprinter Hay List out of a Cox Plate Day showdown with unbeaten mare Black Caviar.

Hay List was the notable omission from a field of six which will line up in the Schweppes Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley tomorrow.

"There was a spike in his temperature on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning," trainer John McNair said yesterday.

"I'm still waiting for the result of a blood sample but I'm fairly confident there is nothing seriously wrong.

"It's a case of not taking any chances with a horse like this."

Hay List, with 12 wins in 14 starts, has emerged as Australia's benchmark sprinter with three recent Melbourne wins, including the group one Manikato Stakes.

McNair said he was confident the hulking sprinter would be fit enough to contest the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 7.

Trainer Peter Moody, meanwhile, will keep Black Caviar fans waiting before committing the mare to a Schweppes Stakes start.

Black Caviar made it six wins in as many starts with a first-up victory in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield but Moody said the 4-year-old had since missed a crucial piece of work.

Meanwhile, French stayer Americain is guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup after receiving a half a kilogram penalty for his Geelong Cup victory on Wednesday.

The penalty lifts the entire's weight to 54.5kg, taking him from 24th to 14th in the order of entry for the 3200m feature.

- AAP