Hay List is at the crossroads after suffering another complication.  The Statue Of Liberty star is under observation at the Randwick Equine Centre with a lingering leg infection.

Word of a rushed trip from John McNair’s central coast stables swept the industry on Friday.  “He was as good as gold on Wednesday ,” McNair revealed at the Gosford races.  “But he was sore this morning and it just got worse.”

McNair said there had been several times in the past month when he thought Hay List had overcome the infection and was back to normal.  “We’ve been invited to compete in Japan later this year.  But I just want the horse to be well again before we worry about what the future holds.”

McNair saddled a winning double at Gosford with Com’ear (Commands) and Robbed (Savoire Vivre) but it was obvious Hay List’s latest setback had him sidetracked.

Com’ear comes from a family that’s been producing winners for McNair for decades.  Her dam Ears Veronica (Ron Bon) joined the likes of All Ears (Couplet), Earsago (Jevington), Ears Kisses (Fimiston) and Eartear (Carry a Smile).

But none have been so resilient as Ears’ Ronny (Ron Bon).  He won 12 times in a 137 start career and was still racing as an 11 year-old.  The old timer also earned G1 placings in the Sydney and Brisbane Cups.

Savoire Vivre gelding Robbed is a rising 8 year-old but he’s mere youngster compared to Ears’ Ronny and McNair’s other mature aged galloper Mustard (Vettori).  

Mustard won a Rosehill race as a 13 year-old in August last year.  A week later Robbed scored the first of his three victories this season at Randwick.

McNair bred Robbed when he sent Upheld (Southern Appeal) to Armidale Stud in Tasmania.  “I tried to talk Gerry Harvey into standing Savoire Vivre in NSW,” McNair recalled.  “I think he will sire a top-class horse one day but Gerry listened to the experts and decided not to make an offer.”

Savoire Vivre is a son of Sadler’s Wells and was a black-type homebred for Sheikh Mohammed in England.  He will be one of Tasmania’s busiest sires again this year.

Savoire Vivre is co-leader of the Tasmanian winners’ premiership with 26 winners of 45 races.  Grenville Stud sire West Quest has sired 26 winners of 39 races.

West Quest has a winning lead for his sixth prizemoney premiership in Tasmania this season.  His stock have earned $961,000 to lead Armidale pair Ladoni ($844,000) and Savoire Vivre ($706,000).