The connections of Group One performer Hiflyer have taken a patient approach with the gelding’s return after he suffered an injury following his last start unplaced run in the Gr.2 Japan NZ International Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga.
“He had a minor setback after his last race, he pulled a muscle in his back,” Lock said.
“We have just given him time to get over it. We decided we weren’t going to target the Tarzino Trophy (Gr.1, 1400m) and the triple crown series at Hastings this year, so we have left him out a little bit longer and he has really done well.
“He is due back in the stable in the next six weeks and he looks fantastic.”
With a likely summer return Lock said there are plenty of opportunities for the son of Tavistock and he will take a lot of benefit from is extended spell.
“He has never really had a long decent break like this, so we will just get him fit and ready and if he comes up and does everything right in his first couple of runs we will step him up and may go back to Sydney with him or just stay around here,” Lock said.
“Once the tracks get better I am looking forward to stepping him up over ground again and see whether he can handle it.
“There are a lot of opportunities over the summer carnivals for him over miles, like the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).”
Lock is also excited about the potential of Hiflyer’s two-year-old full-sister who he believes could be a bit more precocious than her older brother.
“We have just broken his full-sister in,” Lock said. “All reports are that the breakers are really happy. “She is a little bit more precocious and short-coupled (than Hiflyer) and looks like she might come up a little bit earlier than what he did. She is a beautiful filly and we are really excited with her.”
