Racing: Lock-ed in: Trainer eyes Zabeel Classic

Hiflyer's victory last Saturday capped off a hot run of form. Photo / Trish Dunell

Peter Lock has narrowed his options for Hiflyer with the favoured path a trip to Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

"Although nothing is set in concrete just yet, at this stage I'm leaning toward the Zabeel Classic. I think he'll get the 2000m," the Te Aroha trainer said.

"There's also the Rich Hill Mile, but he's not a big, gross horse and I think that he would get too much weight. He's rated 103 now and he would get 59 or 60kg."

A start in the Cambridge Stud-sponsored Ellerslie group one feature would also fit in well with a following run in the group one Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20.

"We could freshen him. The Thorndon is set weights and penalties and it's been a goal for a long, long time but if we were lucky enough to win the Zabeel then that could change," Lock said.

Hiflyer's victory in last Saturday's group three Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) capped off a hot run of form for Lock's stable.

"It was a big thrill, it's been incredible. We've had five winners in the last fortnight or so and for this horse to have won three in a row, including two group threes, has been very special.

"He's getting more professional and on Saturday he bullied his way through when another horse was laying in on him."

- NZ Racing Desk