Blair jumps to fourth after first winner in Europe - and shrugs off interviewer’s gaffe

Kiwi rep Blair Orange has jumped to fourth place at the world driving championship in Europe, reining home Karen to win the third race at GelsenTrabPark in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

But it will take a huge effort from New Zealand’s leading driver to win the series after defending champion Rick Ebbinge drove three winners and two seconds to take a clear lead.

Halfway through the competition, after two days, the Netherlands driver leads on 103, a huge 34 points ahead of Belgian Hannah Huygens (69), Australian Pete McMullen (68) and Orange (65) and Finn Santtu Raitala (65).

Dutch driver Rick Ebbinge looks to have sewn up the championship after driving three winners and two seconds from five races.Orange earned a maximum 17 points when he got Karen away steadily from four on the gate, enjoying a one-one trail briefly before sitting parked off the pacemaking Hydole de Joyere (driven by Raitala) through the 2000 metre event. (The race can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/ebvgupcpztQ?feature=share and advancing to 1:33.38)

In the stretch, Karin had more kick late and pulled away for a two length victory with Kiekeboe (Ebbinge) getting up for second.

The sight of the black fern obviously didn’t make an impact on the course interviewer, however, who wrongly addressed Orange after the race with the opening comment: “Very important points for Australia”.

Orange shrugged off the mistake replying: “No mate, New Zealand.”

There was no doubting Orange’s nationality however during the post race celebrations when God Of Nations was played to the crowd.

Orange also earned a valuable nine points when one race earlier he landed Icone Manathis into third (1:02.15 in the youtube link).

Orange led out from the pole, then trailed, before retaking the lead with a lap to run. But the horse had no answer when Ebbinge challenged on Grahish Cash in the run home and was also picked off for second by German driver Michael Nimczyk on Miss Occagnes.

Orange had no luck with his other three drives, finishing seventh, eighth and fifth.

The third leg of the series moves to Belgium tonight where another five races will be held at the Hippodrome de Wallonie in Mons with three of Orange’s drives drawn the pole and two fancied in the betting.

Orange’s best chance looks to be in the opening race, his drive Haradjah drawn three and the leading money-winner in the field with a win and four placings from his last six starts.

Orange will need some skills, however, in his second drive, Happy Cool Spoken’s form line having five recent disqualifications.

Ebbinge’s runners are more favoured, two selected first, so he could wrap up the title with the final round in Germany still to go.