Written by Paul Vettise
A quality horse and a target race go hand in hand and Peter Lock will set his plan in motion with Hiflyer (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Trentham on Saturday.
The Te Aroha trainer has the 6-year-old in prime order to resume in the G1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph and sees the 1200 metre sprint feature as the ideal springboard to a lofty overseas goal.
A multiple Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter, Hiflyer hasn’t raced for five months but Lock is bullish about his first-up prospects in what is sure to be a high pressure race.
“You can’t get too excited leading into a Group 1, but his exhibition gallop at Taupo was first class and there was a lot of merit in his trial over 900 metres at Cambridge,” Lock said.
“I know how good he is and I’m relying on that and a lot of luck.” – Peter Lock.
“He looks well and he’s working well and it may be a big ask fresh-up. I know how good he is and I’m relying on that and a lot of luck.
Hiflyer
“With Ferrando and Gift of Power in there they will really put some pace into the race and that will suit him. It’s a very good field and I’m excited to have a horse good enough to be there.”
Hiflyer finished fourth in both of his outings at Rosehill in Listed company during the winter and Lock is focusing on a return trip to Australia this year with the Queensland winter carnival his dream destination.
“The plan is to go for the Stradbroke, although he would have to go a big race at Trentham to warrant continuing with that.” – Peter Lock.
“The plan is to go for the Stradbroke, although he would have to go a big race at Trentham to warrant continuing with that,” he said.
“We would definitely take a mate over with him, I’ve haven’t figured which one yet but he wouldn’t go alone.”
Hiflyer has won nine of his 25 starts with success in the G3 Eagle Technology S. and the G3 Thompson H. on his resume. He also finished third in the G1 Thorndon Mile last season and was runner-up in the G1 Tarzino Trophy in the spring.
His regular rider Johnathan Parkes will again take the reins on Saturday and Lock purposefully bypassed the G1 Railway S. at Ellerslie, in the belief that the Telegraph would suit the horse better.
“Our man on top is in a great vein of form. As long as the powers that be are on our side and we get a good run I’m sure we’ll be there or thereabouts,” Lock said.
“With speed on they can get over the top of them at Trentham and I’m quietly confident.” – Peter Lock.
“With speed on they can get over the top of them at Trentham and I’m quietly confident.”
Hiflyer is by Tavistock
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan who have stayed in the ownership, Hiflyer is a son of Lady Firebird (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) whose four foals to race have all been successful.
She is out of the Listed How Now S. winner and G2 Yallambee S. runner-up Miss Power Bird (Mukaddamah {USA}), whose daughter Lady Zabelia (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) is the dam of the ill-fated dual Group 2 winner Time For War (Snitzel).
Miss Power Bird is also a half-sister to the G1 Hong Kong Mile winner Lucky Owners (Danehill {USA}) and the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Mosheen (Fastnet Rock).
It is also the family of the two-time Australian Horse of the Year Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), whose strong of Group 1 heroics included victories in the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and the Cox Plate.
