Peter Moody-trained sprinter Reward for Effort will be better equipped for the Manikato Stakes after familiarising himself with the Moonee Valley track at his most recent start.Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said the stable was looking forward to a rematch with Hay List and Catapulted who beat Reward For Effort home in the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the Valley.O'Connor said Reward For Effort needed to run in the McEwen as a bridge to the Manikato and also to give him a feel for t

Peter Moody-trained sprinter Reward for Effort will be better equipped for the Manikato Stakes after familiarising himself with the Moonee Valley track at his most recent start.

Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said the stable was looking forward to a rematch with Hay List and Catapulted who beat Reward For Effort home in the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the Valley.

O'Connor said Reward For Effort needed to run in the McEwen as a bridge to the Manikato and also to give him a feel for the track for before the Group One feature under lights next Friday.

"He had to have a run in between and it was just a shame that he had to come back 100 metres to the 1000 metres," O'Connor said.

"He probably wasn't as sharp as Hay List and Catapulted who were both fresh while he's had a couple of runs this campaign."

Reward For Effort was on the comeback trail from injury when he scored first-up in the Listed Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before winning the Group Three Concorde Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 28 on the back of a freshen-up.

"He needed to run in the McEwen otherwise there was a chance he might have done too well (in the stable)," O'Connor said.

"It was also his first try around the Valley which was another reason to run him there."

O'Connor said the challenge for Hay List, a winner of 10 races from 12 starts, was to keep improving off an outstanding first-up run.

"He travelled and bolted in at the Valley but he has got to do it again and keep rising and it is not easy to do," O'Connor said.

He said the 1200 metres would suit Reward For Effort who won the 2009 Blue Diamond Stakes over the distance before going amiss.

Hay List has had three starts for Gosford trainer John McNair since being transferred from Perth.

He ran second to Love Conquers All in the June Stakes then was in a class of his own in the Group Three Healy Stakes in Brisbane.

His return in the McEwen was his fifth win over 1000 metres and his 10th overall from 12 starts.