Racing: Harris looking long term with Bodie

By MIKE DILLON

Noel Harris hopes to be looking over his shoulder on Bodie in the final stages of tomorrow's $60,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton.

It means he will be somewhere near the lead.

It will also mean he will have pulled the right rein in taking the mount on Bodie ahead of the horse he rode to win the race last year, Real Vision.

The decision was more a long-term view than simply who might win this race.

Harris was looking ahead to the A$4.5 million Melbourne Cup in November.

Harris rode Bodie to win the Auckland Cup in January and knows that if he decided for Real Vision this time and Bodie won, the successful jockey may retain the ride right through to the Melbourne Cup.

"That was a huge run when he came from being tailed off to finish sixth in the Opunake Cup," said Harris of Bodie.

That was Bodie's first start since winning the Auckland Cup on January 1. Stayers often run a big race fresh then drop speed quickly.

Harris knows that, but he has such a big opinion of Bodie, he's taking no risks.

Hayden Tinsley rode Bodie at Hawera and Harris is aware the talented horseman would like to stay with the stayer.

Bodie has yet to win in rain-affected conditions, but the Riccarton footing was only easy yesterday.

"What will help him this time is that Riccarton has missed the rain we've had here in the north and the track won't be deep. And, he's a class horse."

Harris knows it will be difficult to beat Real Vision, with whom he has a long association. "He's tough and he loves Riccarton."

With the likes of Irish Rover and Danzapride engaged, Real Vision comes in with the same weight he won with a year ago, 54.5kg.

"That's a nice weight for him," said Harris.

Real Vision will be ridden by Levin apprentice Sean Collins.

Real Vision finished only fifth at Te Rapa last Saturday but at his previous start was an impressive winner over 1600m.