New Zealand's boom three-year-old Tell A Tale is likely to have a change of rider with father replacing son at his next start in the $200,000 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Champion jockey Noel Harris is on standby to take over the reins on Tell A Tale from his son, Troy.

Tell A Tale has stamped himself as the top three-year-old in NZ with impressive wins in the Hawke's Bay Guineas, 2000 Guineas and the Avondale Guineas at his lat three starts.

In each of those wins he has been ridden by 20-year-old Troy Harris but his weight may deny him the chance to continue the association in the weight-for-age Zabeel Classic.

Under the wfa conditions Tell A Tale will carry just 52kg with trainer Mark Walker placing Noel Harris on standby to replace his son.

"Troy is trying but we can't take any risks just in case he can't make the weight," said Walker.

"Noel said he would ride Tell A Tale if Troy can't do the weight."

After the Zabeel Classic Tell A Tale will have a month of until January 25 when h runs in the G1 Whakanui Stud Stakes at Te Rapa prior to the $2.2 million Telecom NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 28.