Top jockey David Walsh is rapt to have picked up the ride on Uncle in the group three $60,000 Z-One Audi Manawatu Cup at Awapuni today.
It renews an association with the gelding's trainer Noel Eales and veteran Southland owner Margaret Crooks.
The affiliation with Crooks goes back to the days when Walsh was riding in the South Island on a permanent basis.
Crooks and her late husband Bert raced and trained many top gallopers during the 1980s and 90s, none more so than dual Wellington Cup winner Ed.
Walsh was not aboard Ed in either of those victories, with Damien Oliver then Lance O'Sullivan enjoying that honour.
In fact, Walsh never won a race on Ed despite playing a pivotal role here and there in the horse's various preparations.
He was going to ride Ed in the first of his Wellington Cups, but the jockey fractured a finger in a race fall at Woodville a few weeks earlier and missed the ride.
"He was a pleasure to ride at any time, and to wear those colours, which had been good to me in years gone by," said Walsh.
"One of the better moments I had for the Crooks was riding Off An' On to second in the 1978 Riverton Cup."
Walsh believes Uncle has to be a great chance for a hometown win today.
"I've been watching his recent runs with interest, and only bad luck has prevented him from paying a dividend," he said.
"Uncle is a genuine stayer with an Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) already in the bag and he comes in nicely tomorrow with 53.5kg, which I can do comfortably," he added.
"I could have ridden at that weight on the first day."
Walsh is seeking his third Manawatu Cup win following Payco in 1981 and Lomondy in 1986.
Lomondy went on to record a second win (Jim Walker) in 1989 for trainer Noel Eales, whose other previous Manawatu Cup honours were with Bandon twice (1965 & 66) and Lone Hand (1978).
Eales has a two-pronged attack on today's cup, with topweight and $2 million earner Count Chivas poised for an overdue return to form.
His Feilding Cup second behind Mary Josephine and Counties Cup third to King Keitel at his last two starts were enormous efforts under 58kg, the same weight he carries today.
It's safe to say that Eales and jockey Noel Harris would take immense satisfaction from the horse's return to top form on his home track.
Outside of his apprenticeship, when he was in Woodville, Harris spent all of his riding life in Palmerston North until last year, when he shifted north to Matamata.
He won the Manawatu Cup on Whitole back in 1985.
- NZPA
Racing: Manawatu Cup ride reunites old friends
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