Harris has opportunity for a big-dividend win

Paul Harris has a knack of bringing home lucrative dividend winners.

He did it last week with All My Colours at Riccarton, at odds of 12-to-one, and at today's Ashburton meeting the opportunity is there for more of the same with the only difference being that the long-priced winner may not actually be in Harris's name, or his colours for that matter.

As the caretaker trainer for the South Island stable of North Island trainers Mike and Paul Moroney, Harris can be accredited with most of the success that the stable has in the South Island.

Today the Moroneys have three runners at the Ashburton meeting. Add to that Harris' own 11 runners and it makes for a busy day at the office.

Leading the Moroney/Harris charge today will be Pins gelding Pinprick in the Ashburton Autumn Cup.

After receiving little to no luck last start when finishing seventh behind Bankside Belle at Riccarton, Harris believes that today's assignment is well within reach. "It would probably be best to forget that last run," Harris said.

"Prior to that though he has been running some really good races in behind nice types like Coup Align and Stupendous. He is just the ultimate professional really, a pleasure to do anything with and one of the better horses around."

Craig Grylls takes the ride on Pinprick and will carry 54.5kilograms, a marked difference compared to race top-weight Arctic Ace, which will run with 58kg.

"On his work since that last run I think he will be a major player this time around and I'm expecting a big showing from him."

In the Harris colours and leading his stable charge today is promising two-year-old Premier Lady, who, like Pinprick, was on the receiving end of some bad luck last time out.

That was in the North Island in the Matamata Breeders Stakes, where the Eltawaasul filly received three checks during the race and never took part.

Back in Canterbury today and up against a small field the chance to atone is definitely there.

"It was another case of forget the last run. My big concern about today is the small field, because quite often the good horses can get beaten in them. And although this field is small there are some nice horses in it so we will have to be at our best."

From seven starts Premier Lady has managed three placings and more than $15,000 in stakes and is often seen to be doing her best work late but Harris said that the filly could work hard if needed.

With a big team in today Harris has endless chances to make his way into the winners circle, but gave Keepitindafamily his best outside chance of the day.

- © Fairfax NZ News