The Tauherenikau-based Bidlake and the son of Viking Ruler had a Grand National week to remember last year, winning the Koral Steeplechase-Grand National Steeplechase double.
Eric The Viking's 2015 South Island debut is not an easy one, though, when he takes on a smart restricted open steeplechase field at Timaru today.
High Forty will carry the top weight of 72kg with Michael Mitchell on board, although Eric The Viking has not escaped the handicapper and will lug 69.5kg for the 4280m journey.
Bidlake has always had concerns about the horse carrying big weights, but he is perhaps less mindful of it this year.
''I've always stated right from last year that he's not a weight-carrying horse so that's going to be his biggest downfall but you can't do anything about it,'' Bidlake said.
''It's just the weight he's got. If he's going to carry on racing, he's going to have to carry that sort of weight.''
A conversation with Eric The Viking's jockey, Shaun Phelan, has Bidlake wondering whether he is thinking too much about what is on top of the saddle rather than the horse below.
''I said to Shaun the weight is going to beat the horse in time, but he said he would have won that National last year with 70kg and I shouldn't worry about it,'' he said.
''So we won't worry about it until it's actually true. When it's tripping him up, we'll worry about it.''
What was of more concern for Bidlake was the gelding's poor run in the Manawatu Steeplechase at Awapuni on June 13.
He was a long way off the leaders at the turn and weakened out to be 55 lengths behind winner Upper Cut.
''Shaun just said he didn't feel like the horse he has been in the past,'' Bidlake said.
''The week before Michael Mitchell rode him and said he felt great. I just wonder whether he pulled a muscle or tweaked a muscle in that race and hasn't really let down at Awapuni.''
Bidlake has used a magnetic underlay and massaging on Eric The Viking's tender back, and his work in the past fortnight has improved as a result.
A run in tomorrow's Wellington Steeplechase over 5500m was an option but Bidlake did not want a gutbuster in case he lines up the jumper in the Koral Steeplechase a week before the National.
''The Wellington 'chase was just too much, I think, so we just thought we'd take the option of going to Timaru.
''I wouldn't say it's the softer option because it's a very good field but just the shorter trip will suit better.
''It would be just so good to defend that Grand National crown, so that is the main goal. We just do what we have to in order to get there.''
Bidlake's only other runner of the weekend is Kingiesstar, who reverts back to the flat at Trentham tomorrow after a first look at the hurdles at Hastings on June 27.
''He didn't go hopeless, but it was just good education and he's back to the flat,'' Bidlake said.
''He'll be pretty competitive. I'll be a bit disappointed if he doesn't go close to winning.''
''All going well, he'll go to Riccarton and have a look at those fences down there.''
