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
Second row draws against Prince Lincoln and Spiritual Bliss but they’re still favourites
Davine snaps up fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln but you can still follow her in Queensland
It’s Christmas-New Year Bliss for Phillips but just who has his mare fallen in love with?
Prince set to sign off 2025 in style but Ray tips out two specials to follow in the New Year
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
