Eric The Viking half way there
AARON Bidlake has set two lofty goals for Eric The Viking and the veteran jumper is on track at the halfway mark.
Eric The Viking, who had not tasted victory since his Grand National Steeplechase heroics on August 9 2014, was back to his best when wining the $75,000 Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham on Saturday.
The five length win was ‘‘very special’’ for Bidlake who quite rightly ‘‘lost the plot’’ in the grandstand as he watched the horse, he refers to as his best mate, bring up the satisfying win.
Eric The Viking’s second aim is the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton on August 13 and following the Trentham victory - Bidlake is confident it can be done if the conditions are close to the heavy 11 he struck at Trentham.
‘‘The only thing that can beat him is weight and a good track,’’ he said.
With no recent form on the board, Eric The Viking’s upset win returned a dividend of $18.50 but Bidlake was confident.
‘‘I was a wreck before the race, I haven’t eaten all day because I was so nervous and that was because I was so confident.
‘‘I told a lot of people after Hawke’s Bay he wouldn’t be beaten again this season so I would have looked stupid if he got beaten today,’’ Bidlake quipped.
Before the Trentham win, many would have laughed at Bidlake suggesting Eric The Viking could win the Wellington and Grand National Steeplechases but his faith in the gritty little horse never wavered.
In an honest assessment, Bidlake blames himself for a disappointing season last year.
But he is confident racing less and working him harder will prove the difference this time around for the rising 11-year-old.
Eric The Viking’s win capped an incredible day for Matt Cropp who earlier won the Wellington Hurdles aboard Wee Biskit.
Cropp kept the son of Viking Ruler handy throughout the 5500m trip before pushing him into the race with 400m to run and quickly moved into the lead.
Crash Bandicoot’s run for second confirmed all the promise he has already shown over jumps.