Two of NSW's biggest stars of the turf, Hay List and Hot Danish, will headline the opening day of the Sydney autumn carnival when they clash in the Expressway Stakes next month.Trainer John McNair confirmed after a sensational exhibition gallop on Thursday that Hay List would line up in the Expressway as a launching pad to feature Group One sprints in Melbourne.The hulking sprinter is set for a return clash with the world's highest rated sprinter Black Caviar in the Lightning at Flemington, but

Two of NSW's biggest stars of the turf, Hay List and Hot Danish, will headline the opening day of the Sydney autumn carnival when they clash in the Expressway Stakes next month.

Trainer John McNair confirmed after a sensational exhibition gallop on Thursday that Hay List would line up in the Expressway as a launching pad to feature Group One sprints in Melbourne.

The hulking sprinter is set for a return clash with the world's highest rated sprinter Black Caviar in the Lightning at Flemington, but before that he will tackle the darling of Sydney racing.

The weight-for-age Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) on February 5 at Rosehill has been pencilled in as the return date for Hot Danish who has proven time and time again what a brilliant fresh mare she is.

The Les Bridge-trained seven-year-old has won seven of her eight first-up starts and finished second in the other.

Hay List, a winner of 12 of his 15 starts including the Group One Manikato Stakes, impressed McNair and jockey Glyn Schofield when he left stablemate Mighty Obvious in his wake in a workout between races at Gosford on Thursday.

It was his first serious gallop since he finished sixth in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington in November.

McNair said the Expressway Stakes fitted in perfectly with Hay List's preparation two weeks before the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

The Patinack Classic was billed as a match race between Hay List and Black Caviar but Hay List suffered a setback in the lead-up and wasn't at his best as Black Caviar turned in a performance to remember, crushing her nearest rival by four lengths with Hay List beaten 11-1/2-lengths.

McNair still believes there isn't much between the two sprinters.

"And I think that's good for racing," McNair said.

"To have one completely dominate, a bit like when the Australian cricket team was the world's best and winning everything, it can take a bit of the mystique away.

"Now we've got to fight and strive to get back and win and be the best, and when you win under those circumstances it means a lot more.

"If we do get to the stage where he beats her it's going to be a big thrill."