Racing: Weighty dilemma for Harris

We will find out in the $70,000 Tumu ITM Hawkes Bay Gold Cup at Hastings on Saturday what sort of a judge is jockey Noel Harris.

The remarkable Matamata veteran is keen to find out himself.

Harris has chosen the Lisa Latta-trained Phantom Storm over stablemate Can't Keeper Down and admits he's a little nervous.

"I've had a few phone calls and I've asked each one: 'Do you think I've made the right call?'."

Harris based his judgment on Phantom Storm having 53.5kg compared with Can't Keeper Down's 56kg.

As game as Can't Keeper Down is she hasn't quite been able to make it in the major races this preparation finishing second to Mr Tipsy in the Marton Cup, fourth in the Wellington Cup, fourth again in the Avondale Cup, fifth in the Auckland Cup and third last start in the Awapuni Gold Cup.

Apart from the Auckland Cup when she was held up around the home bend and might otherwise have been third, she has had her chances and has always been running on.

The weights have been 53kg, 51.5kg, 52kg, 51.5kg and 53kg, which made Noel Harris worry a little about the 56kg. Against that, this field is nowhere near as strong as in any of those other races.

"What I like about Phantom Storm is that he's an improving horse. He looks like being a nice cups horse in the spring."

Harris said that although easily beaten into second by Shantaine in an R90 2200m at Ellerslie last start, Phantom Storm was unhappy in the heavy conditions.

"I liked his Trentham win in better conditions the start before."

Phantom Storm has had only one previous start in open company when he was beaten out of a place in the Woodville Cup in January, but looks a much improved horse since that time.

Lisa Latta's stable has been in great form this season and a win by either horse would be no surprise.

"The track looks like being pretty good, so that will suit Phantom Storm," said Latta yesterday.

"I think Noel may have chosen right at the weights."

Topweight Mr Tipsy is a mystery. He looked to be in great form when he ran away for an easy Marton Cup, but has not looked the same horse since.

To be fair he was a touch unlucky when third at Moonee Valley two starts back, but was the first beaten in the Auckland Cup subsequently.

Rain should not have affected him because he finished third in the wet in a Sydney Cup and has won in slow or heavy at Ellerslie, Otaki, Te Rapa and Te Awamutu.

There is no doubting his class - at his best he would win this - but with 59kg topweight he wouldn't need to be too many lengths off his peak.

Difficult to sum up the chances of joint topweight Spiro. He won the Wellington Cup with no weight and was then no chance at weight-for-age over 1600m in the Haunui Farm Classic.

Last start he only battled into seventh in the Awapuni Gold Cup. He would need to do better to win this with 59kg.

The Hastings track was classified as a dead 4 yesterday.

The possibility of a few showers is predicted for today with fine weather to follow, suggesting pretty good conditions for Saturday.

HAWKES BAY CUP

Noel Harris had the choice of rides between stablemates Can't Keeper Down and Phantom Storm.

He chose Phantom Storm, but is slightly nervous.

Trainer Lisa Latta believes he has swung the right way.