Racing: Bookies back Hiflyer in $200k Zabeel Classic

Hiflyer at Wanganui. Photo / Race Images

Bookies are matching the confidence of jockey Jonathan Parkes as Hiflyer prepares for the biggest - and longest - test of his career at Ellerslie's mammoth Boxing Day meeting.

The Te Aroha galloper has been the find of the galloping summer, finally living up to his enormous potential with a trio of sensational wins.

Those included coming from a seemingly hopeless position with 100m to run at Ellerslie last start.

His victories have come over 1400m and 1600m (twice) but he steps up to 2000m weight-for-age in the $200,000 Zabeel Classic, a race sponsored by his co-owners Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan as they prepare to step away from the business in the New Year.

While Hiflyer faces two new tests on Tuesday, the TAB have opened him the $2.80 favourite, even against a host of rivals with group one weight-for-age Ellerslie form.

And central districts riding star Parkes is comfortable with the jump up to middle distance. "I think he will handle the 2000m and is ready for it," says Parkes. "And he is racing so well at the moment I am confident it won't be a problem."

Hiflyer was sometimes hard to love last season as his mental maturity struggled to keep pace with his physical gifts but he has emerged as one of the more talented local gallopers, with possible Australian aspirations before the end of the season.

He heads the Zabeel Classic market over Lizzie L'Amour, Chance To Dance and Volkstok'n'Barrell for the feature race on a stunning day.

One of the other standout form races of the iconic meeting is the Eight Carat Classic, which sees the clash of in-form fillies Hasahalo, Princess Rihanna and Sandrine against brilliant last-start Bonecrusher Stakes winner Spring Heat.

Spring Heat heads the market at $3 from Hasahalo at $4.20, the latter looking primed when galloping between races at Ellerslie last Sunday.

The betting race of the day shapes as the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final over the 1500m.

Top Prospect has opened a loose $5.80 favourite with former Kiwi jockey Andrew Calder to ride as part of a working holiday back from his base in Macau.