Harrison Orange excited for first race day drive tonight

Newly licensed junior harness racing driver Harrison Orange is excited to be starting the 2024-25 season with his first race day drive at Alexandra Park tonight for his employers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.

As the son of multiple New Zealand premiership-winning driver Blair Orange and Lisa Godsall, who also had success as a junior driver, it’s no surprise that Orange is embarking on his own career in harness racing.

“It’s pretty exciting and I’m really looking forward to it,” says Orange, “I’m not really feeling any pressure and Scott (Phelan) has told me to just get out there and enjoy it.”

Orange makes his driving debut with Ilsa’s Son in Race 5, the Franklin Vets Equine Handicap Trot over 2200 metres.

Although the Majestic Son gelding hasn’t won since this time last year, he has raced well in his campaign to date. He most recently finished fifth in the Winter Rewards Final at Alexandra Park last week, battling on well to be 1.8 lengths from the eventual winner Kimkar Dash.

“The horse has been going pretty good but there’s a couple in the field that have also been racing well,” says Orange, “Both Scott and Dad have helped me out and taught me a lot but I’m feeling ready to get out there and do my own thing.”

“I’m also heading down to Addington on Sunday for a couple of drives there, one for Bob Butt and one for Mark Jones, and I’m really looking forward to getting out on my home track in Christchurch where I grew up.”

Purdon and Phelan, who train Ilsa’s Son, are happy to be able to give the aspiring reinsman his first drive.

“We’re absolutely happy with Harrison’s progress since he’s been working for us,” says Phelan, “he’s a hard worker and always happy around the stables, no one has a bad word to say about him, and most importantly the horses seem to run for him.”

“Ilsa’s Son isn’t likely to win out of turn but he’s a chance is he gets the right run and a bit of luck, but we’ll be happy if Harrison just gets out and has fun for his first drive.”

The Purdon – Phelan team also start four-year-old mare Artisan in Race 6, the Stonewall Stud And Stables Mobile Pace.

Driven by Zachary Butcher tonight, the mare was an impressive winner at her last start here three weeks ago. On that occasion, Artisan challenged Coastal Babe off the gate in a 39.4 second lead time before trailing from the 1800 metre mark and was too strong when let down up the home straight to win in a time of 2.40.5.

“She has lost a bit of the speed we saw in her when she was younger but has definitely got tougher and can put up more of a staying contest now,” says Phelan, “she’s got gate speed there to use if Zachary chooses to go forward, and I think she’ll definitely be in the fight in the finish tonight.”

“She’ll just race for a few more weeks before heading to stud so it would be nice to pick up another win or two for her owner Neville Tilsley.”

Racing action gets underway tonight with Race one at 5.35pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand