THE awesome task of beating up on the world's best sprinter in Saturday's Newmarket Handicap down the straight six at Flemington has led John McNair to call in a manipulator.
McNair is leaving nothing to chance with his hulking sprinter Hay List, which has been on the receiving end of a couple of hidings from Victorian super horse Black Caviar.
Not so local trainer Mark Kavanagh, who yesterday ruled out throwing his sprinters Catapulted, Undeniably or We're Gonna Rock into the ring ruled by the unbeaten Black Caviar.
''I don't mind a good fight, but I'm not keen on attending a massacre,'' Kavanagh said yesterday.
Having won all nine starts, Black Caviar is looking to complete a hat-trick of group 1 wins, and the four-year-old has stifled betting on the Newmarket, despite the race's rating as the most demanding test for a sprinter in this country.
The Peter Moody-trained Black Caviar must set a modern weight-carrying record for a mare, having been burdened with top weight of 58 kilograms under the handicap conditions.
Sportingbet Australia is taking no chances, and had $1.35 on offer yesterday. Hay List is at $12, ahead of the dual group 1-winning three-year-old Star Witness at $17. Last-start Oakleigh Plate winner Eagle Falls was at $18.
Hay List will carry 56.5kg in the Newmarket, which represents a 3.5kg turnaround following their latest clash in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Black Caviar was ruthless on that occasion - cantering to a 3.3-length victory.
''The weight turnaround is the best chance we've got of beating her,'' McNair said yesterday. ''She was awesome in the Lightning on the dead track and I want it firm next weekend.''
McNair wasn't making excuses for the Lightning Stakes defeat, as the trainer is in awe of Black Caviar, but the all-round horseman did point out his sprinter slipped on leaving the barriers.
Following the Lightning Stakes, Hay List was taken back to McNair's Central Coast training complex and the winner of 12 from 16 has pleased McNair, who rides him in track gallops.
''I'm bringing in the chiropractor tomorrow just to go right over the horse,'' McNair said. ''I'm leaving nothing to chance. I just want to make sure there are no excuses from my end. My bloke will be as good as I can have him, and as usual, the horse will head south on Thursday.''
Moody said yesterday Black Caviar had thrived since winning the Lightning Stakes and would be joined in the race by stablemate Hinchinbrook.
''She's come along well and is in very good order,'' Moody said.
Hinchinbrook debuted for the stable with a fast-finishing third behind Eagle Falls in the Oakleigh Plate last Saturday week.
Moody has another seven horses entered for the Newmarket.
''Jason Maskiell will ride Hinchinbrook at 50 kilograms but as to whether we'll have another runner, we'll just wait and see,'' Moody said. ''Panipique might run and so might Master Harry, but there are other options for them as well.''
Darley Stud head trainer Peter Snowden confirmed classy mare Beaded would start in the race, while Flemington trainer Mike Moroney will start King Pulse.
''She won down the straight last start and gets in with a light weight [52.5kg],'' Snowden said. ''It is worth giving her her chance at a group 1.''
King Pulse finished fourth behind Moody's Wanted in last year's Newmarket Handicap but on leaving the parade ring took fright during a freak hailstorm and was lucky to survive.
Set to carry 52kg, King Pulse is the winner of two from five, and returned with a seventh behind Black Caviar in the Lightning Stakes.
''This is probably our best chance of beating Black Caviar because it is a handicap and she is weighted up to her best,'' Moroney said yesterday.
''We are not scared to take her on. He went into that first run a bit big but he has trained on really well and will run a race. It would be good to get a result and put what happened last year behind us.''
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