Hiflyer wins 2017 Grant Plumbing Thompson Hcp Group 3 NZ$70,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1600m.
Honest and consistent Hiflyer, with now seven wins in 17 starts, justified his warm favouritism with a solid effort here. Under Johnathan Parkes he got away well from barrier seven to be a handy second early then eased into the one-out, one-back position.
Past the 800m they camped in fifth, ready to pounce, moving out to be four wide into the straight. Parkes gave him time to balance then asked the question at the 200m. With a good fight on their hands, they levelled up then lunged for the line to score by a neck.
Amarula had an easy time in the lead around the bend and into the straight where he tried to put a break on them, gave the winner a good tussle and only capitulated in the last few strides - a game effort. Ringo challenged three wide turning in but couldn't go with the first two, battling on for third from Benzini, who finished best of the rest from near last.
