Racing: Hay List ready for peak effort in Manikato Stakes

Trainer John McNair. Photo / Getty Images

Trainer John McNair is hoping for at least three lengths' improvement from glamour sprinter Hay List in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.

McNair sounded the ominous warning after the 5-year-old was the star performer at Monday morning's special Moonee Valley gallops ahead of tomorrow night's meeting.

With race rider Glyn Schofield aboard, Hay List set off with the Leon Corstens-trained Strike The Tiger in the 1000m hitout and surged over the last 400m in 24.03s to win by more than a length.

"To my eye he looks the best he's looked since he's been with me, and he also looks the fittest he's looked since he's been with me," McNair said on Tuesday.

The former West Australian sprinter posted his 10th win from 12 starts when he flogged a group three field in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the Valley on September 11.

Such was the dominance of his 1-length win over Catapulted and Reward For Effort that he jumped eight rating points to 110.

At his only other two starts for McNair, who trains at Gosford on the NSW central coast, Hay List ran second to Love Conquers All in the listed June Stakes at Randwick on June 12 and won the Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 26.

The Manikato Stakes is his first test at group one level and McNair says he is feeling the weight of expectation.

Hay List is based at a beachside location outside Geelong away from the public gaze.

"I will be a lot happier when it is done and dusted and over with," McNair said.

"There is so much expectation on him and it sort of places you under a little bit of pressure.

"You have got to have a few things go your way in group ones: barriers are important, track surface and pattern of racing."

McNair said Hay List over-raced last start when fresh but he expected him to settle much better on Friday night.

"He has proven that he is probably at his best when second-up."

Former Gai Waterhouse-trained sprinter Bank Robber, who was third to All Silent in last year's Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington, is set to have his first start for Mark Kavanagh in the Manikato, while Peter Moody has entered Reward For Effort as well as last Saturday's listed Testa Rossa Stakes winner Avenue.

- AAP