FLEMINGTON racegoers could have been forgiven for thinking Hay List stepped out of a spaceship as he strode on to the famous course for his Newmarket tilt.

Rival trainer Rob Heathcote did a double take when he saw the hulking sprinter with trainer John McNair and snapped this photo of the six-year-old in the skin-hugging attire.

McNair said he was approached by a company recently suggesting the suit could be of use.

"It is like a compression suit. It works on the same principle," he 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 for a couple of weeks now and I've got to say it makes a huge difference.

"Hay List wore them on the trip down (to Melbourne)."

McNair said it only takes about 90 seconds to put on with "zips everywhere."

The manufacturer's notes say its Hidez recovery suit "uses a graduated compression method which helps circulation and supplies more oxygen to the muscle groups".

It also claims to speed up the removal of waste products, such as lactic acid from the circulatory system, resulting in the horse being able to exercise harder, longer and recover more quickly.

Judging by Hay List's deeds down the Flemington straight in Newmarket Handicap on Saturday, he will not be the only horse being zipped up in the future.