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:
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Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: The Night Fox
6.20pm
“Harry said he’d have won for fun last time if he’d gone straight. We’ve put a pole on him, and he’s been a lot better, but from the inside of the second row on Friday night, over only 1700 metres, he’ll be looking for a bit of luck. if he gets half a run, he’ll be a good chance as he’s been training really well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.19pm
“He needed the run first-up and will need a couple more. He’s a bit high up in the grades and needs to drop a few points and get his fitness up.”
Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.09pm
“We’ll tell Fergie to go out again and see where he ends up. He’s a tough little horse and it won’t hurt him to have a look. I know it’s a tough race but we’re very happy with him and he’s an each-way chance and our best of the night.”
