Hiflyer
Race Images Palmerston North
Hiflyer's three-year-old campaign is over with trainer Peter Lock opting to send the talented galloper to the paddock rather than head to Australia.
The Te Rapa horseman made the call after a recent meeting with two of the sharpest minds in the business – the horse's breeder and part-owner Sir Patrick Hogan and former top trainer Jim Gibbs.
"After lengthy discussions with Sir Patrick and my very good friend Jim Gibbs we've decided for the good of the horse to spell him," Lock said.
"We're going to let him mature and strengthen over the next few months and then get him ready for the spring racing at Hastings.
"He will come back much bigger and stronger and I've been in this game all my life and I haven't had a horse with his ability."
Hiflyer has a win and three placings from his four appearances and a start in the Grafton Guineas was being considered for the Tavistock gelding after he finished runner-up to the talented Let Me Roar when resuming at Te Rapa earlier this month.
"He's done everything we've asked of him so far and he ran into a top filly the other day when he was carrying 57.5kg and he didn't handle the track at all," Lock said.
"He's going to end up a top line horse and he can really ping off firm ground. He's got the potential to win a Group One race – he's very exciting and it's a privilege to train one like him for Sir Patrick." – NZ Racing Desk.
The Te Rapa horseman made the call after a recent meeting with two of the sharpest minds in the business – the horse's breeder and part-owner Sir Patrick Hogan and former top trainer Jim Gibbs.
"After lengthy discussions with Sir Patrick and my very good friend Jim Gibbs we've decided for the good of the horse to spell him," Lock said.
"We're going to let him mature and strengthen over the next few months and then get him ready for the spring racing at Hastings.
"He will come back much bigger and stronger and I've been in this game all my life and I haven't had a horse with his ability."
Hiflyer has a win and three placings from his four appearances and a start in the Grafton Guineas was being considered for the Tavistock gelding after he finished runner-up to the talented Let Me Roar when resuming at Te Rapa earlier this month.
"He's done everything we've asked of him so far and he ran into a top filly the other day when he was carrying 57.5kg and he didn't handle the track at all," Lock said.
"He's going to end up a top line horse and he can really ping off firm ground. He's got the potential to win a Group One race – he's very exciting and it's a privilege to train one like him for Sir Patrick." – NZ Racing Desk.
