18 Mar 2017
Trainer Peter Lock believes his exciting galloper Hiflyer is still six months from his best, despite his Tavistock gelding producing another stunning winning performance on the weekend.
Lock has made no secret of the high regard he holds for the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred four-year-old, who burned a quality line-up of rating 85 gallopers at Te Rapa in a blistering 1:34.13 for 1600m.
Settled nicely on the rail in midfield by rider Rory Hutchings, Hiflyer enjoyed a comfortable run throughout before he was asked to improve approaching the point of the home turn.
Hiflyer quickly burst to the lead and put the result beyond doubt with 300m to run with Hutchings afforded the luxury of easing his horse down as they hit the line six lengths clear of the chasing pack.
"He's a very special horse and could well be a Group One winner by this time next year," Lock said.
"I had dinner with his owners on Saturday night and said to them that he is still far from fully matured and you won't see the best of him for another six months.
"He still does a few things wrong at home and in his races but he is learning all the time and I think with a good winter spell he will be the real deal for his next campaign."
Lock is in two minds as to where he goes next with his charge with the possibility of sending him straight to the spelling paddock one of his options.
"We had been thinking about tackling the Easter Stakes at Ellerslie for his last run in this campaign but I'm in two minds about it," Lock said.
"He would go into the race at a disadvantage under the set weights and penalties criteria as he would be pretty close in the handicap to horses who have won at the top level. While it is very tempting to have a crack when he is in this type of form the better option might be to tip him out now.
"We think he is good enough to be a threat in some of those big races during the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival so what we do next will be with that in mind."
Hiflyer races in the colours of Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, who shares racing ownership with the Go Henry Racing Syndicate. - NZ Racing Desk