No one would rather win today's $200,000 group one First Sovereign Trust Otaki feature than Noel Harris.
If Fritzy Boy gets over the line first, wait for a massive whip flourish similar to the one Harris gave when Everswindell won the New Zealand Cup 16 months ago.
Exceptthis time Harris will almost certainly wait until after the finishing line to avoid a fine.
Today, the Otaki Maori Racing Club is honouring the dynasty that is the Harris racing family by dedicating the raceday to them.
Jock Harris, a legendary jockey in the days of superb horsemen, will be honoured as will sons Noel, Des, John, Peter, daughters Karen and Jenny and grandson Troy.
Noel Harris said his father had never been one to overload on advice, or flowery compliments afterwards.
"Dad always told me to try not to cover extra ground in races and said you have to know the bad times to really know the good times."
Remarkable 54-year-old Noel is riding better than at any stage of his long career and there will be an extra good time late today if he can guide Fritzy Boy home, or is successful on the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup favourite Six O'Clock News in the Dominion Post St Leger Trial on the programme.
Co-trainer Paddy Busuttin is delighted with the way Six O'Clock News travelled to Otaki yesterday morning.
"He's arrived here in the best possible shape and is lovely and settled."
Busuttin does have concerns if heavy rain arrives, but he was delighted to see a sunny, breezy, drying day yesterday and said the Otaki track was considerably better than the 5 rating Otaki posted yesterday morning.
