Blair Orange warms up Magnus Primavera who gave him his sole placing on the night at Mons in Belgium.
No joy for Blair in Belgium but move by Aussie Pete McMullen gives him a Hail Mary show
By Barry Lichter • 17 August 2023
Kiwi rep Blair Orange had no luck on an action-packed third day of the world driving championship in Europe, slipping to eighth on the leaderboard.
It was slim pickings at Mons in Belgium where Orange had a fourth, two sixths and a disqualification before the final heat which saw two horses gallop in the score-up and United States rep Jordan Ross thrown from the sulky.
Ross, who had won the previous heat, was unhurt and quickly back to his feet but his horse Jakarta Ter Blekte ran several laps of the track before being caught.
Jakarta Ter Blekte was scratched from the rerun, won by popular local Hanna Huygens who reeled in runaway leader Pippa Ice and Finland’s Santtu Raitala in the final strides.
Class photo at Mons in Belgium.Orange salvaged some pride by finishing third on Primavera Magnus, his eight points taking him to 89 for the series.
Footage of the heat can be found on the following live stream link starting about 2:19.17 - https://www.youtube.com/live/4kBBfmjMaPA?feature=share
Dutch driver Rick Ebbinge virtually sewed up the championship by winning the third heat with an all-the-way demolition on Oasis, and will take a 33 point lead into the final round in Germany.
Meanwhile Australian Pete McMullen had another good night, a first, second and fourth elevating him to second place on 106 points, giving him a longshot chance of catching the defending champion.
Huygens sits third on 105 with Raitala fourth on 103 points.
The final five races in the 20-race series will be held at Trabrennbahn Mariendorf in Berlin on Friday.
Standings after three of the four rounds are:
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
