Cambridge jockey Troy Harris returning to scale after Gr.1 success aboard Melody Belle at Te Rapa yesterday.
A pair of important victories on the weekend has Cambridge jockey Troy Harris keen for more as he continues his resurgence from the battle he has had with his weight over the last few years.
Forced to ride over fences for a period after struggling with his weight, Harris has made a concerted effort to continue his flat-riding career and reaped the benefit at Te Rapa yesterday when piloting Sponge Bob and Melody Belle to victory in the Gr.2 Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) respectively.
Harris is feeling justifiably satisfied with his efforts, but also eager to continue on the upward path he is currently on.
"Actually, I'm a little tired as it was a pretty long day, although I was in bed fairly early last night," he said. "It was a dream result and thankfully I could repay the faith that people placed in me to get the job done for them.
Harris was quick to thank his manager Dean Williams, who played a major role in securing the mount on Sponge Bob after Michael Coleman fell ill on Friday, as well as having Harris available to ride after he incurred a suspension when riding at Hastings on January 30.
"Dean did a fantastic job with my appeal on the suspension so I really have to say a big thanks to him," Harris said.
Harris was taken by the effort of Sponge Bob, who was having just his fourth start when tackling the Guineas after breaking his maiden status at Te Rapa three weeks earlier.
"He was travelling well then when I asked him to improve he came into it nicely and when I gave him a couple with the stick, he really put in.
Sponge Bob wasn't amongst the original nominations for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) with his connections having until February 19 to pay a $30,000 late entry fee to secure a place in the feature at Ellerslie on March 2.
While confident he was on a winner during the running of the Waikato Guineas, Harris admits he didn't have the same feelings on Melody Belle later in the day.
The victory was the first for Harris at Group One level since successful for the same trainer-owner combination in Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Syndications in the 2008 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on Tell A Tale.
"Te Akau have been really good to me so it was nice to repay the faith they had in putting me on the mare," Harris said. "I had been over to Matamata and galloped her in the build-up to the race and she was flying.
"That wasn't the feeling I was getting halfway through, though, as we were in a tough spot and not really going anywhere.
Now that Harris has again tasted success at the highest level, he is determined to make the most of any opportunities that come his way.