Riccarton trainer Tony Prendergast is backing the honesty of his fine campaigner Harrison to land him the $20,000 Timaru Cup at the Phar Lap Raceway today.
Harrison has raced consistently well over a solid campaign without winning. Harrison will be ridden by Bruce Herd, who won the first three races at Awapuni on Tuesday.
Even though Tony and Lyn Prendergast are looking to give the horse a well-earned break, they would like to see him pick up a race.
Harrison finished second to Hilton Jewel at Beaumont, having finished fifth in the Churchill Stakes at Riccarton behind Sir Howard.
Before that he was third in the North Canterbury Cup, beaten a nose and a neck, third by a neck and half a neck in the Ashburton Cup and second in the Geraldine Cup, beaten a nose.
"We are totally happy with him," Prendergast said.
"He is getting to the end of a long campaign and we have been looking for an excuse to give him a spell."
Prendergast rated Harrison an excellent miler but did not doubt his ability to get 2000m. He saw Hilton Jewel, winner of the Beaumont Cup, as the horse to beat.
Hilton Jewel will be ridden by Paul Richards, who was in top form at Wingatui on Tuesday, winning two listed stakes' races.
- NZPA
Racing: Honesty should pay
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