Orange closing in on 3000 career victories

It’s a matter of when, not if, for the country’s top harness racing driver Blair Orange.

The seven-time premiership winner is vying to become just the fourth driver in this country’s harness racing history to crack the 3000-win barrier, joining Tony Herlihy (3717 wins), Maurice McKendry (3429) and Ricky May (3189).

With his career tally now at 2996, he has six drives at Addington today. Any win will of course inch him closer to his milestone, though he’s hardly brimming confidence ahead of the midweek eight race programme.

“They are a bit of a mixed bag,” Orange says of his drives, “we will need a bit of luck.”

Three of his drives will be for Michael House, starting with The Beach House in the first, The Lather Up – World Class Sire, Real World Value Mobile Pace. He’s drawn one over 1980 metres.

“He was honest last week and looks a good top three top four chance.”

Stablemate and last start winner Million Dollar Chic will be Orange’s drive in race 2, the American Ideal – A Lasting Legacy Mobile Pace (5.10pm).

“He did win well last time but we will need a bit of luck from the outside draw.”

Another House runner Courage Reactor has also drawn wide in Race 5, the Sweet Lou – The Future Is Sweet Mobile Pace (6.55pm).

The six-year-old mare comes into the race on the back of two thirds.

“She is a sit-sprinter so we just wait to see how things unfold,” says Orange.

Both Million Dollar Chic ($3) and Courage Reactor ($3.60) opened as favourite in their respective races.

Five win trotter Special Effects ($5.50) will again be handled by Orange in Race 6, the Speeding Spur – The Trotting Titan Handicap Trot (7.30pm).

The Father Patrick gelding broke last start.

“I take some of the responsibility for him galloping,” says Orange, “I will be a little more cautious at the start and he is with a chance.”

Orange’s other two drives on the night will be Without Comparison (Race 3) and Fear Gogh (Race 8).

So far this season Orange has 141 wins to be 36 clear of closest challenger Tim Williams. His latest win was with Tokyo Rose in Sunday’s Placemakers Oamaru Cup.

Racing today starts at 4.35pm.

To see the Addington fields click here

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk