Rain wanted for Eric The Viking
The hard work is done for Aaron Bidlake.
Now all he needs is for the heavens and his umbrella to open and it’s game on.
Bidlake believes Eric The Viking is only a decent downpour away from being a genuine chance in Saturday’s $75,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton.
Like many around the Riccarton stables, Bidlake predicts it would not take a lot of rain to soften the track up.
‘‘Any rain is huge for us,’’ he said.
Eric The Viking’s disappointing run in last Saturday’s Koral Steeplechase is in stark contrast to last year’s build up when he won comfortably and went on to win the Grand National.
Cast out to a $16 shot by TAB bookmakers, which many would consider conservative, Bidlake has been debating whether he should start the genuine wet tracker but his conclusion is the positives out weigh the one negative of a firm track.
‘‘I know he’ll stay the distance and we know he jumps the Riccarton fences really well and I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s very well,’’ Bidlake said.
‘‘Matt Cropp has been riding him in work and Croppy has been saying how well he is and he’s a pretty good sort of judge.
‘‘He said I’d be crazy not to start him.’’
Eric The Viking will carry 65.5kg, only 500 grams more than last year, with regular rider Shaun Phelan on his back.
The son of Viking Ruler pulled up super after the Koral and the run may not have been as bad as it looked after he dropped back sharply at the Kennels Double when he ploughed through the second fence.
‘‘He got a wee bump going into it and Shaun said he lost his focus. He can’t handle a bump because he’s such a little horse,’’ Bidlake said.
Phelan initially held concerns he may have broken down but the gutsy little horse lifted again.
‘‘Once he finally balanced up and got back on that course proper where it’s a bit softer he managed to get wound up again and he finished ok,’’ Bidlake said.
Eric The Viking has been at Riccarton for several weeks with local trainer Pam Robson.
‘‘Pam’s been very happy with him since he’s been down here, she said he is as happy as ever in himself,’’ Bidlake said.
Bidlake said his fromline looks average but does not tell the full story.
‘‘The races this year just haven’t gone his way. The only race I’ve truly been disappointed with was Awapuni and he pulled up with a sore back.’’
Eric The Viking was close to being retired last season after his Grand National win but the 10-year-old could be back at Riccar- ton in 2016.
His Grand National run will decide if he contests the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie on September 5.
‘‘He would have to run pretty competitively tomorrow to warrant pressing on to the Northern, otherwise we will put the cue in the rack and maybe have another go with him next year.’’
JJ Rayner, who co-trains favourite Mr Mor with father Evan, said they would love to see some rain.
She reported the Wellington Steeplechase winner has travelled down perfectly, is eating up and settling in well.
The Wanganui trainer said she was confident Mr Mor could still run a good race on the track which was rated a good 3 on Friday afternoon but she was still craving rain. ‘‘Some of those lightweights could be tough to beat on a firm track.’’
Mr Mor is a $4.20 favourite for the 5600m feature with Snodroptwinkletoes leading the Kevin Myers charge at $4.40. Stablemate Kick Back and pride of the south High Forty are both at $5.50.