Racing: Hiflyer has tough task in Zabeel

Hiflyer, owned by Sir Patrick Hogan, wins the Eagle Technology Stakes at Ellerslie in early December. Photo / Trish Dunell

Peter Lock says he'd love a decent night's sleep.

The thought of producing Hiflyer into today's Group 1 $200,000 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie as the $2.80 favourite has made him friendless with his pillow.

"Producing a horse that hasn't run past 1600m (2000m today) against older, tough horses at Group 1 and at level weights and as hot favourite is scary stuff." This is new ground for Lock, who has not previously had a runner in a Group 1 race.

"This horse is up against it today and, being honest, he shouldn't be hot favourite, I hope the punters realise what he has to overcome to win." Victory would be appropriate - Hiflyer is owned by the race sponsor Sir Patrick Hogan and to win his own race in the season when he announced the sale of his world famous Cambridge Stud that housed Zabeel would be something very special.

Keeping Lock sleepless is that Hiflyer is an extremely lightly framed individual who has had only 18 race starts into his 5-year-old season. He is not worried about the 59kg as a single statistic. "If you look back on his form there have been only two or three times he has not been asked to carry 57kg, 58kg or 59kg." But often physical strength, or the lack of it, is not as important as something you can't see - the inner strength and toughness that experienced weight-for-age horses develop. Mental toughness is included.

"Everything is against us. Whether he's got the toughness to pull this off we'll know soon." Volkstok'n'barrell is one of the warhorses Hiflyer will have to topple. He ran past Volkstok'n'barrell late in the race over 1600m in the Eagle Technology Stakes at Ellerslie last start and had he not received the late gap to sprint through he would have been the biggest certainty beaten since WWII.

Sir Patrick Hogan.

The distance this time is a 2kg weight differential in favour of Volkstok'n'barrell and the 2000m, which the older horse greatly favours. The overall form of Volkstok'n'barrell through the last year has not quite been up to his previous high standard as a result of a few niggling issues, but connections believe he is now right back to his best.

"He's as good as he's been," says trainer Chris Gibbs. "He puts weight on very easily and last start he was probably a few kilos over his optimum weight, but he's lost that now." Also for Hiflyer to navigate are the tough stablemate mares Lizzie L'Amour and Stolen Dance, both hardened from running in first and third at Te Rapa last week.

Lizzie L'Amour clearly beat Stolen Dance there, but the latter was left in front and will be much better if chasing the leaders late.

She has a tough No8 barrier, but Jason Waddell is an excellent tactical rider.

Chance To Dance has proven himself up to weight-for-age class and adds to the overall strength of what will be an outstanding contest.

If Hiflyer wins and you don't have a hat, borrow one and cheer Sir Patrick Hogan, then Hiflyer and a bleary-eyed Peter Lock.

ONE OUTTA THE BOX

What: Iconic Boxing Day race meeting at Ellerslie.

When: Today, first race 12.43pm

On track: $200,000 Zabeel Classic, $100,000 Eight Carat Classic, $80,000 Dustan Feeds Final, $60,000 Hallmark Stud Sprint, $50,000 Shaws Wires Ropes 3-y-o.

Off track: Fashion in the Field, new Paddock entertainment area on in-field.

The punt: Final field all races, head to head options, jockeys' challenge.

Watch: Trackside 1 preview coverage starts at 11am.