Racing: Sir Patrick urges caution on exciting Hiflyer

Sir Patrick Hogan believes his exciting home-bred Hiflyer needs more time to develop before sights are set on Australia. Photo / Dean Purcell

Sir Patrick Hogan believes his exciting home-bred Hiflyer needs more time to develop before sights are set on Australia.

The Cambridge Stud principal shares in the ownership of the Tavistock five-year-old, who yesterday opened his black type account with victory in the group three Grant Plumbing Thompson Handicap at Trentham.

"My vote would be to stay here for races like the Thorndon Mile and the Zabeel Classic and if he can win them then perhaps Australia in the autumn," Sir Patrick said.

"The horse certainly did the job for us today, it was a good tough win, but he's still a teenager."

In the wake of Hiflyer's latest success, trainer Peter Lock floated the idea of a start in the group one Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 11, although he stressed no firm plans were in place for the horse's immediate future.

"Peter said to me he was looking into it and he'd get home and think about things, there are a stack of races here for him as well," said jockey Johnathan Parkes, who has an excellent record on the gelding.

"He's an exciting galloper and certainly group one material."

Parkes was in the saddle at Trentham and has now ridden Hiflyer five times for three wins and two seconds, including a runner-up finish in last season's group two Easter Stakes (1600m).

At Trentham, they settled in behind the pace and Hiflyer wasn't to be denied in the straight, getting the better of the brave front-runner Amarula by a neck.

Ringo did well after covering extra ground to take third money ahead of Benzini, who came on encouragingly from the back in his first start for three months.

Meanwhile, unbeaten youngster Sir Nate has earned himself a break ahead of his major summer target.

The Nadeem two-year-old will enjoy time off following a spirited performance at Trentham yesterday to claim the Listed Anuka Smoker Wellesley Stakes (1000m).

"He'll go to the paddock now, he deserves a let-up," trainer Lisa Latta said.

Sir Nate sat close to the pace and once balanced in the straight under rider Masa Tanaka he finished determinedly to keep his perfect record intact.

Debutant King Louis got to the line strongly for second while Masque and Queen Of The Air, were third and fourth respectively.

- NZ Racing Desk