Racing: First Command steers clear of brilliant Hay List

MELBOURNE - Victorian trainer Lee Freedman intends to steer clear of the brilliant Hay List with honest sprinter First Command, who has maintained his unbeaten record at Caulfield with an impressive first-up win.

The 5-year-old is four from four at Caulfield, where he won the group two Caulfield Sprint (1100m) last year from Turffontein and that event is again a target for him in three weeks. Freedman said First Command "just wasn't right" when he finished 10th to Hay List in the Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in June and he went out for a spell.

"We couldn't find a lot wrong with him when we got him home but I'm sure he was hurting somewhere. But back in his home environment he has come good," Freedman said. "He's a top-class sprinter without being at the top of the tree. He's certainly up to top group two company and he could go to New Zealand for one of the group one sprints there, the Telegraph.

"I don't want to give him a big preparation. The Caulfield Sprint, probably the Salinger and a little freshen-up before he goes to New Zealand." Ridden by apprentice Jake Noonan, First Command enjoyed a fast speed set by the A$1.85 favourite Definitely Ready in the Rokk Ebony Hcp (1000m) at Caulfield on Sunday and the gelding finished powerfully to score by 1 lengths from Acquired (A$21) with Dissolved (A$9.50) a length away third.

Definitely Ready weakened to finish fourth.

First Command has now won eight of his 13 starts. Since the Healy Stakes, Hay List has had two starts for two wins with his victory in Friday night's Manikato Stakes stamping him at the top level of Australian sprinters.

Hay List has had four starts for Gosford trainer John McNair for three wins and a second in the June Stakes at Randwick.

- AAP