Hiflyer wins 2017 Eagle Tech. Gt Nthn Challenge Group 3 NZ$70,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 1600m.
Locked up with 250m to run, Hiflyer threaded between a wall of runners to grab a last gasp, thrilling victory here. He began fairly but was wide (barrier 11) to settle back of midfield. Rider Johnathan Parkes got a width closer to the fence starting the bend and made a forward move at the 600m.
Fanning with the field, he had no room once they straightened, switching in then out for a run. Still with a wall of runners in front, a split opened at the 200m and Parkes drove him through, seemed to peak then found another gear just short of the line to grab the lead and win his eighth race in a thriller by a head.
Splurge had the run of the race in third, ranged up and took over into the straight and looked the winner at the 100m only to be grabbed late.
From midfield (rails) Volkstok'n'barrell didn't see daylight until the 200m and ran on very well late for third from Ronchi, who led to the turn and held on well for fourth.
