That is what the $900 garment looks like, although it is in fact made of a revolutionary moisture-management fabric.

It is the latest and most unusual piece of cutting-edge technology designed to assist the thoroughbred's recovery from races and strenuous training gallops.

Because Hay List has had his share of injury problems over the years, trainer John McNair thought it was worth a try.

"It is basically like a compression suit," McNair said.

"You see a lot of cyclists, footballers and other sports people use them. They are designed to aid recovery, help with muscle fatigue.

"We have been using them on Hay List for a couple of weeks now and it makes a huge difference."

The compression suits are made by Hidez, a firm in Windsor on Sydney's northwestern outskirts.

The Hidez Recovery Suit uses a "graduated compression method which helps circulation and supplies more oxygen to all the muscle groups". It claims to enhance blood flow, reduce the onset of muscle soreness, and speed up recovery.

So just how is the suit fitted to a racehorse?

"There are zippers everywhere and it takes about 90 seconds to put it on," McNair said. "There are designs in place to introduce a variation of the suit that enables a horse to wear it at trackwork so that you can monitor its heart rate, breathing - even its length of stride."

Sydney race fans will get to see plenty of Hay List and his new suit because he could have as many as three starts during the autumn carnival.

The bad news for Sydneysiders is that Black Caviar is favoured to race in Adelaide next month. And another clash between the world's two best sprinters at England's famous Royal Ascot carnival seems increasingly remote.

Hay List's trainer John McNair yesterday revealed the autumn race program for his super horse - and it doesn't include Royal Ascot.

"I'd say it is very unlikely he will go to England," McNair said.

"Singapore is an option but (owner) Terry Davenport has his concerns about going there because it can be very hot and humid. I'll do whatever Terry wants me to do."

Hay List will race next in the Group 1 $500,000 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 23 before returning to Sydney.

McNair said his options for Hay List include the Group 2 $175,000 Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 31, then two Group 1 races at Royal Randwick, the $1 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 14 and the $400,000 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 28.

Hay List emerged from the shadow of Black Caviar when he carried 58.5kg to win a thrilling Newmarket from Buffering and Foxwedge.

No horse has carried more weight to win the Newmarket since Gold Stakes shouldered 60kg to win in 1959.

The win pushed Hay List's Timeform rating to 132.