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Group Three target for Back In A Flash; Hayes to return to Hong Kong;
Group Three target for Back In A Flash
The Keith and Gavin Opie-trained Back In A Flash recorded her seventh win from just 13 starts, and first in open company, at Ellerslie on Saturday and she will now be set to tackle the Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders (1400m) at Hawera next month.
"We haven't got a big prep in-mind for her this time round," Keith Opie said.
"We have got one more race left and then we will revise things. It will be in that fillies and mares race at Taranaki.
"It's not for about four or five weeks, but that has been our plan."
While Opie is focused on next month's assignment, the Te Aroha conditioner said he would ultimately like to get to the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at his home track next year with the five-year-old mare.
"Our aim next autumn will be our own race at home. If we are lucky enough to have a start in it and have a chance, that's the plan," he said.
"She is just starting to be a racehorse now, she is starting to toughen up. She had to rely on a bit of heart the other day and all of a sudden it was there."
Hayes to return to Hong Kong
Australian Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes will return to the Hong Kong ranks for the start of the 2020-21 racing season.
The senior trainer for Lindsay Park in Australia, Hayes spent a decade in Hong Kong from 1996, winning two premierships.
His nephew Tom Dabernig and son Ben Hayes will continue the Lindsay Park operation that includes a primary training facility in rural Victoria with satellite stables in Melbourne and Sydney.
"I haven't taken this decision lightly and over the past 15 years we've been developing Lindsay Park Euroa into a world-class training centre," Hayes said.
"I have full confidence in my team.
"I'm really excited about watching the boys flourish. I'm sure they will do well and I'm only going to be a phone call away.
"Lindsay Park is my lifetime's work and I can assure all my clients that it will be business as usual."
Hayes said it was a privilege to be granted a Hong Kong Jockey Club licence.
The HKJC said Hayes had been granted a licence for the 2020-21 season to fill an impending vacancy.
Hayes's licence becomes effective on July 13 next year.
Multiple championship winner, ex-pat Australian John Moore, will be forced to retire at the end of this season.
The 69-year-old has already had his tenure extended with trainers previously made to retire at 65.
