Boom sprinter Hay List will be a surprise runner in the Group Two Gilgai Stakes at Flemington after connections abandoned post-spring options to take him to Hong Kong and Perth.The John McNair-trained five-year-old, who scored a thrilling win in the Group One Manikato Stakes on Friday night, will back up in Sunday's sprint which will familiarise him with the straight 1200m course ahead of his main spring mission, the Group One Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 6."He's a 90 per cent

Boom sprinter Hay List will be a surprise runner in the Group Two Gilgai Stakes at Flemington after connections abandoned post-spring options to take him to Hong Kong and Perth.

The John McNair-trained five-year-old, who scored a thrilling win in the Group One Manikato Stakes on Friday night, will back up in Sunday's sprint which will familiarise him with the straight 1200m course ahead of his main spring mission, the Group One Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 6.

"He's a 90 per cent chance of running," McNair said.

"It wasn't the original plan to run him this week but he is not going to Hong Kong or Perth.

"If he was he wouldn't be running on Sunday.

"He will go for a spell after the Patinack Farm and after the spring the owners want to concentrate on the autumn with him."

A winner of 11 of his 13 starts, Hay List is building a following with every race and his 2-1/2 length win in Manikato Stakes at his first Group One attempt was dominant.

His Gilgai appearance sets up a potential showdown with former Australian Racehorse of the Year Weekend Hussler who is on the comeback trail from injury.

McNair said Hay List would have his final lead up to the Patinack Farm as planned in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 23.

He said Hay List took only 24 hours to recover from the Manikato and that the Gilgai was a good opportunity for him.

"We always wanted him to have experience up the straight before the Patinack Farm and that's probably the main reason for running on Sunday," McNair said.

"I am reasonably confident he will back up pretty well after Friday night and we just hope the weather is kind to us again."

Looking ahead, McNair will aim Hay List at the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) first up in the autumn with the possibility of training on to other Group One sprints - the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap.

He said a trip to Royal Ascot next winter was a goal.

"I would be surprised if he wasn't invited," McNair said.

"There has already been a lot of press about him in England.

"Obviously he is very talented so it is just a matter trying to keep everything going in the right direction and not over tax him."

Hay List will be an unexpected bonus for Sunday's VRC meeting.

He has a rating of 114 which is equal to that of Sniper's Bullet, who is also nominated for the Gilgai, and four points lower than Weekend Hussler.

Among other highly rated entries are Swick (109), Albert The Fat (108), Catapulted (108) and Bank Robber (106).