Peter
Lock might not have to wait too much longer for the first Group One success of
his lengthy training career.
His aptly-named stable star Hiflyer moved a step closer to fulfilling the Te
Aroha horseman's racing dream following a heart-stopping performance to
continue his winning ways in Saturday's Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at
Ellerslie.
Lock has yet to decide when his classy son of Tavistock will step out at the
elite level, but his performances so far strongly suggest the five-year-old is
more than capable of making a winning impact.
"I'm in two minds what to do at the moment, the horse will tell us in the next
day or two what to do," he said.
The Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham next weekend
is a possibility, albeit a remote one.
"I don't really think he's a horse to back up so we'll go home now and have a
think about it," said Lock, who has been training for more than three decades.
"We could stop now and freshen him up and then maybe have a go at the Thorndon
Mile at Wellington. It's all pretty exciting."
Hiflyer settled midfield and one off the fence at Ellerslie before he became
strung up in traffic as the field swung for home.
"Half-way down the straight I didn't think he was going to get a run," Lock
said.
Gaps finally opened for Hiflyer and he didn't need to be asked twice to take
them and powered home to beat Splurge and Volkstok'n'barrell.
"It might be silly to say, but I think this horse is only going to get better
next time in," Lock said.
"He's still learning his trade."
Wanganui-based jockey Johnathan Parkes has now ridden Hiflyer six times for
four wins and two placings.
"I managed to find the gaps and it was a big performance, he's an exciting
horse," he said. – NZ Racing Desk.