RACING - Harris rides a Genuine chance

By TIM EVESRUAKAKA trainers Dean and Donna Logan are banking on veteran jockey Noel Harris to bring home the bacon when their horse Genuine Offer steps out for the $700,000 Stella Artois Auckland Cup at Ellerslie. The Logans and business partner Chris Gibbs are in Auckland with a team of nine horses for Auckland Cup week starting tomorrow, but they are confident they have a real shot at Cup glory on Wednesday. And not just because they think Genuine Offer is real chance in the feature race, but also because Harris is on a mission to become the fourth New Zealand jockey to attain 2000 riding successes in this country. ``We think she (Genuine Offer) is a definite chance, she is best for 2400 metres but the step up in distance to 3400 metres should not be a problem for her,' Dean Logan said. ``Getting Noel Harris to ride was a good score as well. Noel is an outstanding Cups rider who suits her style of racing over the longer stretches. We're quite happy with things with Noel involved,' he said. Harris, 51, is currently on 1989 riding successes in New Zealand and would dearly love to bring up his 1990th win on Genuine Offer on Wednesday, and start a serious countdown to number 2000. He is already listed to ride six different horses tomorrow and another three on Wednesday. By the time nominations are confirmed during the week for the final day of Cup week at Ellerslie next weekend, he hopes to have booked another handful of rides. But he is doubtful he could score the 11 winners he needs to surpass the 2000 mark during the week-long festival. That would require a run of successes unprecedented at Cup week. ``I have never ridden her (Genuine Offer) before and given the choice of the field she would be one of the rides I would have opted for in a race like the Auckland Cup.' ``There is a bit of rain forecast for the weekend which will makes the going a bit tougher, but Genuine Offer is a stayer, is coming into the race at a relatively light weight and is strong enough to go the distance. She has come through the groups fairly good, but then in the big races like this a little bit of luck goes a long way.' One of the hot picks for the Auckland Cup, Spin Around is being touted as the best chance to beat pre-race favourite Prized Touch. But Logan said Genuine Offer would also attract some serious betting interest, especially if the weather predictions proved accurate. The Logan stable has Jazella lining up tomorrow in the $100,000 Darley Plate, a race the horse won last year.