The Harrison name has been synonymous with Melbourne racing over a long period.
There was patriarch Tommy who won countless races in Melbourne and around the Gippsland tracks of Victoria before being joined by son Doug in training ranks.
Another son Kevin was a successful jockey as was grandson Travis, an apprentice at the time, who was tragically killed in a car accident after birthday celebrations in 1996.
Each year the Moonee Valley Racing Club recognises the apprentice with the running of the Travis Harrison Cup which will be a feature of Saturday’s program.
Doug Harrison does not have a runner in the race named after his nephew on Saturday and stable numbers have fallen from the halcyon days of the 1990’s and 2000’s.
But Harrison will be at Moonee Valley with a large family contingent on Saturday when he saddles Talk Of Dakota in the Opus Group Handicap (1000m) who will carry the family colours of Blue, Gold Spots, Red Cap.
Talk Of Dakota won on debut at Cranbourne in April before finishing second last at Sandown on May 27, but Harrison said there was excuses that day.
“She was very good on debut and when she went to Sandown, her back legs went from underneath her when she went to jump,” Harrison said.
“She got crossed, got muddled up in the field. Joe Bowditch rode her and said to forget the run.
“We gave her a break and she’s back here, in what is quite a handy little race on Saturday, but she did trial quite well on Monday.”
Carleen Hefel, who has won the Melbourne Apprentices’ Premiership, takes the ride on Saturday after piloting the filly in Cranbourne jump-out victory last Monday.
“She rode her for the first time on Monday and she actually did some work on her when she was broken in over at Booralite Park,” Harrison said.
“Carleen doesn’t rap up too many things, but I think she was quite happy with her on Monday.
“There’s a lot of well-bred horses in Saturday’s race, but she comes in well with Carleen’s claim.”