Hiflyer
Kenton Wright Race Images
A trials win by Hiflyer at Te Teko has Peter Lock believing he finally has the horsepower to make another attack on the Australian scene.
Hiflyer was given three starts earlier this season for a win and two seconds, the latest effort when producing a huge late run to be beaten a mere nose by the talented Duchess Kate at Ellerslie.
Freshened, Hiflyer contested an open 1020-metre Te Teko trial on Tuesday and impressed both regular rider Sam Collett and Lock.
"He was very impressive and Sam said he had a lot up his sleeve," said Lock. "He was back third-last and off the bit before the turn, but then Sam gave him a slap and a dig and he grabbed the bit and put paid to them. The last 50 metres he had his ears pricked.
"I've always said you need a very good horse to go to Aussie and I think he's the one."
Lock has discussed the options in New South Wales with his daughter, Casey, and her fiancee Warwick Farm trainer Con Karakatsanis, whose top horses have included the Group One winner Black Piranha.
"The race we've sorted out for him is the Grafton Guineas, but there's other races that would suit him, too," said Lock. "He'll have a run here first, at Te Rapa on the seventh (of May) and if he goes well the trip will be on."
The Grafton Guineas (1600m) is not until July 10 so there is plenty of time to have Hiflyer spot on for the event.
"He's come back bigger and stronger and his work has been outstanding," said Lock. "Mentally he's improved, too.
"It will be great for the owners if he goes over there and does well. Sir Patrick (Hogan) has been kind enough to share him with a syndicate (Go Henry Syndicate) and many of them are first-time owners."
Lock has targeted Australia a few times with members of his team, but he hasn't campaigned a horse there since the summer of 1999-2000.
During that period he campaigned Stan The Man, a son of Omnicorp who had run third on debut at Trentham and won at Riccarton, in Sydney for two wins and a second from four starts before he suffered a tendon injury.
"I'm looking to take over a small team," said Lock. "Mr Luigi, Hidden Treasure and Romarro could go, too.
"Mr Luigi trialled well (for fourth) at Te Teko and will have a run here beforehand and so will Hidden Treasure, who could be good for the staying races. Romarro ran third the other day (at Te Aroha) and he's all set to go." – NZ Racing Desk
Hiflyer was given three starts earlier this season for a win and two seconds, the latest effort when producing a huge late run to be beaten a mere nose by the talented Duchess Kate at Ellerslie.
Freshened, Hiflyer contested an open 1020-metre Te Teko trial on Tuesday and impressed both regular rider Sam Collett and Lock.
"He was very impressive and Sam said he had a lot up his sleeve," said Lock. "He was back third-last and off the bit before the turn, but then Sam gave him a slap and a dig and he grabbed the bit and put paid to them. The last 50 metres he had his ears pricked.
"I've always said you need a very good horse to go to Aussie and I think he's the one."
Lock has discussed the options in New South Wales with his daughter, Casey, and her fiancee Warwick Farm trainer Con Karakatsanis, whose top horses have included the Group One winner Black Piranha.
"The race we've sorted out for him is the Grafton Guineas, but there's other races that would suit him, too," said Lock. "He'll have a run here first, at Te Rapa on the seventh (of May) and if he goes well the trip will be on."
The Grafton Guineas (1600m) is not until July 10 so there is plenty of time to have Hiflyer spot on for the event.
"He's come back bigger and stronger and his work has been outstanding," said Lock. "Mentally he's improved, too.
"It will be great for the owners if he goes over there and does well. Sir Patrick (Hogan) has been kind enough to share him with a syndicate (Go Henry Syndicate) and many of them are first-time owners."
Lock has targeted Australia a few times with members of his team, but he hasn't campaigned a horse there since the summer of 1999-2000.
During that period he campaigned Stan The Man, a son of Omnicorp who had run third on debut at Trentham and won at Riccarton, in Sydney for two wins and a second from four starts before he suffered a tendon injury.
"I'm looking to take over a small team," said Lock. "Mr Luigi, Hidden Treasure and Romarro could go, too.
"Mr Luigi trialled well (for fourth) at Te Teko and will have a run here beforehand and so will Hidden Treasure, who could be good for the staying races. Romarro ran third the other day (at Te Aroha) and he's all set to go." – NZ Racing Desk