Hiflyer wins at Te Aroha November 25th
Photo: Kenton Wright, Race Images
Peter Lock believes it's only a matter of time before Hiflyer makes his mark at the highest level.
"He's the best horse I've ever had anything to do with and what he's done so far has all been on raw talent," the Te Aroha trainer said.
"He's been feeling the ground and I think so much of him that I won't be taking any risks at all.
"I will decide in the next couple of days whether we press on to the Levin Classic or if he goes to the paddock.
"He was only ever going to have one more run and if he's 100 percent for Trentham then he's going to give Xtravagant a big fright."
Runner-up on debut, Hiflyer was an impressive maiden winner on his home track before he powered home from the tail of the field to finish a close last-start second during the Christmas carnival at Ellerslie.
"He's still six months away from his best, that's why we never considered the Derby, and I think he will definitely be a Group One winner next campaign," Lock said.
"He will come back much bigger and stronger, there's no doubt at all about that."
A son of Tavistock, Hiflyer was bred by his part-owners Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan.
Meanwhile, Lock's other promising three-year-old Head Spin has been sent for a break after failing in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"You've only got to spit on the track and she's finished," he said. "We'll freshen her up and she'll come back for a Saturday race in her own grade." – NZ Racing Desk.
"He's the best horse I've ever had anything to do with and what he's done so far has all been on raw talent," the Te Aroha trainer said.
"He's been feeling the ground and I think so much of him that I won't be taking any risks at all.
"I will decide in the next couple of days whether we press on to the Levin Classic or if he goes to the paddock.
"He was only ever going to have one more run and if he's 100 percent for Trentham then he's going to give Xtravagant a big fright."
Runner-up on debut, Hiflyer was an impressive maiden winner on his home track before he powered home from the tail of the field to finish a close last-start second during the Christmas carnival at Ellerslie.
"He's still six months away from his best, that's why we never considered the Derby, and I think he will definitely be a Group One winner next campaign," Lock said.
"He will come back much bigger and stronger, there's no doubt at all about that."
A son of Tavistock, Hiflyer was bred by his part-owners Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan.
Meanwhile, Lock's other promising three-year-old Head Spin has been sent for a break after failing in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"You've only got to spit on the track and she's finished," he said. "We'll freshen her up and she'll come back for a Saturday race in her own grade." – NZ Racing Desk.