A trip to Australia remains in the mix for a New Zealand Group performer who has been the target of  massive overseas interest.

Trainer Peter Lock said Hiflyer’s upcoming programme has yet to be confirmed, but Sydney was an attractive option for the son of Tavistock.

“We were looking at going to the Foxbridge Plate and then the first day of the Hastings carnival, but they are probably going to come up too quickly.

“It makes sense to go to Sydney. It’s very tempting and a trip over there and a good look around would really help to furnish the horse.

“It’s only three hours or so away and it might be a better fit than staying here on the wet tracks.

“It’s not all about the money either, it’s about doing the right thing by the horse. The syndicate has already turned down a fortune, we’re talking way over $700,000 and he’s a gelding.”

Hiflyer has won five of his 14 starts and hasn’t raced since he finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Easter Handicap.

“Johnathan Parkes rode him and said he got to the front too easily and gawked around and never saw the horse (Seventh Up) come up on the inside,” Lock said.

Hiflyer had a good break after the Ellerslie race and is now building up for his return.

“He’s on the water walker after he spelled exceptionally well. He’s more mature and becoming the real racehorse we want him to be – horses like him don’t come along very often.”

Lock’s longer-term aim with Hiflyer is a crack at the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

“That’s a race I would really love to win and the big track at Wellington suits him,” he said.