Glyn Schofield rides Hay List. Photo / Getty Images
The shock scratching of raging favourite Hay List from the group one Doomben 10,000 was greeted with mixed feelings from rival stables, including the John Hawkes camp.
"No one likes to see things like this happen to good horses like Hay List," Michael Hawkes said.
"But at the same time
we were always confident of beating him with Love Conquers All.
"I have always maintained our bloke had a great chance even with Hay List in and we'd be hard to beat.
"But with Hay List coming out it's naturally going to be a lot easier."
Hay List would have become the shortest-priced favourite of modern times had he started in the Doomben feature.
Hay List's trainer John McNair was devastated when he found swelling in the sprinter's off-hind leg late yesterday.
He immediately called in a veterinarian who notified Racing Queensland stewards that the gelding required anti-inflammatory treatment and was unable to start.
The injury is expected to sideline Hay List for the remainder of the Brisbane winter carnival.
Beaten four times by the world's best sprinter Black Caviar, Hay List underwent x-rays and scans on his hind leg late yesterday to determine the extent of his injury.
Hay List, who was the $1.35 favourite, was runner-up to Black Caviar in the group one BTC Cup at Doomben at his last appearance.
His scratching has thrown the race wide open with the Peter Snowden-trained Beaded the new favourite at $3, with Love Conquers All at $3.40.
The Hawkes stable won the Doomben 10,000 in 1997 with Accomplice.
Brisbane's leading jockey Chris Munce will also be chasing his second Doomben 10,000 on Love Conquers All, who has been freshened up since finishing second in the group one Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick in April.
Munce holds the Doomben 10,000 close to his heart after winning the 1350-metre feature aboard Perth sprinter Barrosa Boy in 1992.
"I had just come out of my time as an apprentice and Barrosa Boy was my first group one winner," Munce said.
Munce will be chasing his 43rd win at the highest level today.
- AAP
