World Driving Championship heading for close finish

The World Driving Championship (WDC) is heading towards an exciting and close finish after five more harness racing heats were held at Addington on Friday night.

After 15 of the 20 heats Canada’s former world champion James MacDonald has 130 points, just nine ahead of Australian Gary Hall junior (121).

Mats Djuse (Sweden) is third on 111 with New Zealand’s Blair Orange well within striking distance on 107 (23 behind MacDonald).

Orange’s big moment was his win with Always A Menace in the first of the night’s five heats. Not only did it continue his move up on the leaderboard but it was his 3000th New Zealand victory, a win made  all the more special wearing the Silver Fern and coming on his home track in front of family and friends.

As well as MacDonald (Waihemo Hannah) and Orange the other three heat winners were Pierre Vercruysse (France) with One Eye Bandit,  Djuse (Mr Cash Man)  and American Brett Beckwith who romped away to a huge victory with Look To Da Stars.

The WDC now heads to Winton for four more heats then there is the final heat at Addington as part of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day on Tuesday.

The points leaderboard (after 5 heats) is : 

James MacDonald (Canada) 130
Gary Hall junior (Australia) 121
Mats Djuse (Sweden) 111
Blair Orange (New Zealand) 107
Michael Nimczyk (Germany) 91
Pierre Vercurysse (France) 91
Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy) 83
Jaap van Rijn (Netherlands) 83
Brett Beckwith (USA) 80
Santtu Raitala (Finland) 74

For complete race results, click here.

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk