PALMERSTON NORTH - Former Palmerston North-based rider Noel Harris might be the jockey to take veteran Stratford galloper All In Fun through the million dollar barrier at Awapuni tomorrow.
The Alleged Dash gelding is just $1413 short of $1 million in stake earnings after picking up $2000 for finishing fourth in the Wanganui Stakes (1600m) last Saturday.
All In Fun only has to finish fourth in the Marton Jockey Club's group three $50,000 Merial Metric Mile tomorrow to post seven figures.
Harris, now based at Matamata, is reunited with All In Fun after a 7 1/2 year break. He has not been associated with the former Tom McDonald-trained 11-year-old since the horse was a 3-year-old.
McDonald, a part-owner of the gelding, trained All In Fun for most of his racing career, but recently gave up the reins to fellow Stratford trainer Warren Dymond.
Harris has ridden All In Fun three times for a win, a third and a fourth. They were successive starts at the end of the horse's 3-year-old season.
Harris was offered four rides, including Say Magic and Victoire but had to turn them down.
"They were all a bit too far down in the weights for me at the present time - about a kilo too far - and just when I thought I'd be watching the race from the stands I got the call for All In Fun," Harris said.
"I'd be rapt if he could break the million dollar barrier, and imagine if he won the race - what a reception they'd give him."
Harris did not need reminding it had been a long time since he last rode All In Fun.
"I can remember telling Tom McDonald that the horse always gave me the feel he would be better with the sting out of the ground, despite the fact he could win on a firm track back then," Harris said.
"Strangely enough, 10 of his 16 wins on New Zealand soil have been on firm or easy footing, with another victory on firm ground in Australia."
All In Fun, however, does have a herculean task in front of him at the top of the handicap with 58kg with some talented up-and-comers near the minimum weight.
One of those is Winter Cup runner-up Nothing Lika Tango, to be ridden by Jeremy Walsh. Nothing Lika Tango followed his second to Jolly Rodger in the Winter Cup with a good fourth in Clarify's Winter Classic (2000m) and he has not raced since.
- NZPA
Racing: Veterans reunited to chase the million
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