Racing: Jockey shrugs off betting plunge on Black Caviar

Photo / Richard Robinson

Glyn Schofield is confident his mount Hay List can foil a betting plunge on unbeaten mare Black Caviar in today's Group One A$752,500 Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington.

Alice Springs-based Centrebet reported it had held nearly A$200,000 on the Patinack Farm yesterday afternoon with Black Caviar attracting by far the most attention.

The unbeaten Peter Moody-trained mare has firmed from A$1.85 to A$1.65 favouritism after bets of A$50,000 at A$1.77, A$40,000 at A$1.75 and A$25,000 at A$1.72.

Hay List has eased from A$3 to A$3.40 with three-year-old Star Witness third pick at A$10.

TAB Sportsbet reported "one-way traffic" for Black Caviar yesterday with bets of A$50,000 at A$1.80 and A$30,000 at A$1.70 forcing her price in to A$1.65.

Hay List was given the all clear by Racing Victoria stewards yesterday morning to start in the weight-for-age 1200m feature after suffering a laceration to his off-foreleg late last week.

The Statue Of Liberty five-year-old took fright and kicked out at a concrete water trough in his paddock, lacerating his shin which required five stitches.

Veterinarians were of the opinion that the laceration would not affect his performance.

"I think he's 100 per cent," Schofield said.

"If he comes to the races - and I'm sure he will - in the same condition he was in at his past couple of starts it's going to be a great race for everyone to watch.

"And for me it will be great to be partnering him and I'm sure he'll be going past the post first."

Schofield said the star John McNair-trained sprinter missing a run in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day, a race Black Caviar won by 5 lengths, had caused Hay List's price to ease.

"He's had a few weeks between runs and an injury so he's probably blown out in the betting for that reason," he said.

"One thing you can't take away from him is his ability to run."

Schofield has been aboard Hay List in each of three wins from as many starts this spring including the Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Group Two Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

"I've never got to the bottom of him," he said.

Black Caviar's new rider Ben Melham, replacing the suspended Luke Nolen, said the ride was without doubt the most important of his career.

"She's a very classy mare and it's going to be a very intriguing race," he said.

Melham, like Black Caviar, is yet to win a Group One race and said he was very grateful to Moody and the owners for the opportunity.

"I was thrilled and it would mean a lot to me to win it for them," he said.

"She's pretty straightforward, pretty push-button, and all I can do is turn up and ride her as good as possible and let her do the rest."

James Winks, who won the Coolmore Stud Stakes aboard Star Witness on Derby Day and rides him again today, said he had a lot of respect for both Black Caviar and Hay List but they were "definitely beatable".

AAP