Australia beckons for Tavistock’s gifted son
Connections of the Group 1 performer Hiflyer are looking at their offshore options.
“At this stage, we’re looking at going over in three or four weeks to either Melbourne or Sydney,” Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock said.
“We would give him two runs and then bring him home to freshen up for a crack at the first day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.
“Then again, if he goes really well in Australia he may stay a bit longer and I could send Dougie and Honneur Noir over as well.”
Hiflyer is a dual Group 3 winner and hasn’t raced since he finished third in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January.
“He looks great and he’s ready to go,” Lock said.
“I was going to trial him next week (at Te Awamutu), but the way the weather is he won’t be going there.”
Meanwhile, high hopes are held for Dougie’s staying future, but in the meantime he is expected to give a bold account of himself over a shorter trip at Trentham.
The four-year-old will resume in the Hanley Formula Autumn Sprint Championship Final (1200m) in the hands of Wiremu Pinn.
“He’s not screwed down 100 per cent, but he’s been working a treat,” Lock said.
“He’s a very good horse with a good 1200m record. “I’ve got an in-form apprentice and the horse likes bad ground. Later on we’ll find a nice staying race for him.”