Back to back wins for Noddy Orr

In-form pacer Tua Lipa (Sweet Lou) has propelled Northern Southland breeder-owner Noddy Orr back into the harness racing winner’s circle.

The four-year-old has made the perfect return to racing for the Shane Matheson stable, winning at both Winton and Ascot Park in two winter starts.

Orr had been through a quiet patch on the ownership front, with Tua Lipa having around six months in the paddock being part of the reason why.

But the last month has been far from quiet, with the Balfour owner’s phone running hot after each of his horse’s victories.

“Things had been very quiet, but that is just the way things work out with horses sometimes,” Orr said.

“It is great to be back having a horse racing, and winning is even better.”

“I’ve had a lot of messages from people, that is probably the best part – catching up with everyone.”

Tua Lipa was confined to the spelling paddock after a minor injury put his racing career on hold.

But so far it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“He had a slight injury so we put him out for six months, but it has actually done him the world of good,” Orr said. 

“He is a lot stronger now, he used to get down on his bumpers but Shane says he is not doing that anymore.”

“The break seems to have been the making of him.”

Orr races Tua Lipa with wife Jane, Matheson and his partner Lisa Barrie. He has now won three from seven starts.

When the four-year-old ran to victory at Ascot Park last weekend, he headed the first quinella for the Matheson stable, with Rylan Charlie in second.

Jane Orr gave Tua Lipa his name, which stems from pop singer Dua Lipa.

The Orrs bred Tua Lipa by sending their mare Tara Delight to Sweet Lou.

Tara Delight’s fourth dam is Petronella, an outstanding producer who has been a foundation line for many branches of her highly successful family.

There are no better examples of this than the mare also being the fourth dam of Interdominion champion Tiger Tara.

Petronella was bred and raced in the 1960s by former Balfour horseman Ronnie West.

“My mum was a West, so for us to get this mare and get into Ronnie’s breed makes it a bit special,” Orr said.

The Orrs own Tara Delight with Ken Scott, and they take turnabout with her breeding.

Tara Delight slipped a Bulldog Hanover foal last breeding season and is now in foal to Stay Hungry, for Scott.

When the Orrs get their turn with the broodmare, the choice of stallion looks easy judging by recent results.

“We would probably have to go back to Sweet Lou, the way Tua Lipa is going,” Orr said.

“We were actually lucky to breed him because Sweet Lou was fully booked that year.”

“But Paul Pierce had a service and I was able to use it.”

“I have thanked him for it, but I probably owe him a couple more jugs now.”

Tua Lipa’s back to back wins have earnt him a shot at Addington’s feature night of racing on Friday.

“He has got a bit of a tricky draw, but Sam Ottley is driving and she knows him.”

“She will have it all figured out.”

“With his rating, we might as well go and have a crack at a nice stake up there.”

“It has been a wee while since I have won a race at Addington, Suzie Rocks would be the last one.”

Suzie Rocks is from Orr’s successful racemare The Receptionist, with the breeder-owner having a four-year-old half-sister to her to come through next.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand