KEY POINTS:
Craig Grylls had no luck trying to win the race commemorating his grandfather - the John F. Grylls Memorial - but winning rider Noel Harris made it a special occasion for himself.
Harris dedicated the win on Material Girl to his father, Jock, who celebrated his 77th birthday on Saturday.
"How about this, it was the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year and Jock was celebrating his 77th birthday," said Noel Harris at Te Awamutu.
"I looked around for any sevens in my mounts and Material Girl drew gate No 7."
Jock Harris and the late John Grylls would have fought out many a finish in their day as top horsemen.
Noel Harris says his father enjoys good health in Palmerston North.
"He loves his garden and plants a lot of spuds and he goes down to the trotting track and talks to them all down there a few mornings a week.
"He goes to the RSA on a Saturday night and does some line dancing - he's got things sorted out."
Noel Harris rode a winning double and in the second victory staged a desperate battle in more ways than one with an old adversary, David Walsh.
Walsh lodged a protest after he on Floor Play and Harris' mount Harvest The Gold tangled from the 220m.
There is no question Harvest The Gold made it tough for Floor Play, but stewards didn't think it was serious enough to change the placings.
The battle had a second edge as both Walsh and Harris are chasing down 2000 career wins. Harris is on 1956 victories and Walsh is a few behind him.
- Mike Dillon
