Hay List will be entered for the Expressway Stakes but trainer John McNair admits he has almost run out of time to have him ready to kick off his autumn campaign in Saturday's Group Two race.The sprinter is more likely to be reserved for the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 19 and a clash with unbeaten mare Black Caviar.Hay List jarred up after a workout on a firm track between races at Rosehill eight days ago and the trainer said he was making good progress but the Expressway

Hay List will be entered for the Expressway Stakes but trainer John McNair admits he has almost run out of time to have him ready to kick off his autumn campaign in Saturday's Group Two race.

The sprinter is more likely to be reserved for the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 19 and a clash with unbeaten mare Black Caviar.

Hay List jarred up after a workout on a firm track between races at Rosehill eight days ago and the trainer said he was making good progress but the Expressway (1200m) at Rosehill might be too soon.

"He is on the road to recovery but at this stage we are looking to Melbourne and the Lightning," McNair said.

"The plan would then be the Newmarket Handicap or the Golden Shaheen at the Dubai World Cup meeting at the end of March."

Although McNair and the gelding's owners, the Davenport family, had never committed to an Expressway start, the trainer would still have loved Sydney racegoers to see Hay List at his best.

The former Perth galloper has had just one start in Sydney when he finished second to Love Conquers All in the June Stakes at his debut for McNair.

He then won the Healy Stakes in Brisbane and during the spring won three in a row in Melbourne including the Group One Manikato Stakes before failing in the Patinack Farm Classic won by Black Caviar.

"It's disappointing because I really wanted Sydney people to be able to see him at his best," McNair said.

"He wasn't at his peak in the June Stakes and it would be great for him to race in front of a home crowd."

Hay List came to McNair as the winner of eight of nine starts in the west and his record now stands at 12 from 15 with his prize money just short of the $1 million mark.

The Expressway is still expected to be a major attraction with triple Group One winner Danleigh, Love Conquers All and Hot Danish all expected to line up.

Danleigh was given an easy time in a barrier trial last week to get him ready for his first-up mission.

Trainer Chris Waller said the plan was to follow the same path as last year towards Danleigh's defence of the Group One George Ryder Stakes.