Our Blair off to a slow start at world champs but watch him go close on Jagger
By Barry Lichter • 14 August 2023
Champion Kiwi driver Blair Orange lies in eighth place after the first round of the world driving championship at Victoria Park, Wolvega in the Netherlands.
But after a slow start with two fourths, a 10th and a disqualification, Orange salvaged some prime points with a second in the fifth race, leading until the last stride on Orlando Vici four-year-old Jagger.
Blair Orange is trying to become New Zealand’s seventh world driving champion.Orange is still well in contention with 15 races to go in Germany and Belgium, sitting on 27 points just two behind three drivers on 29 points.
Australian Pete McMullen, who won the opening race and Canadian Doug McNair, winner of the third and fifth heats, are tied for first on 49 points.
Gelsentrabpark in Gelsenkirchen, Germany will host the second leg on Tuesday.
On Wednesday the series moves to Belgium for the third leg at Hippodrome de Wallonie in Mons.
After a one-day break the 2023 champion will be crowned on Friday after the final races at Trabrennbahn Mariendorf in Berlin.
More news in Harness
Long wait over to see why Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln are fancied by Lincoln Farms
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?
Our runners this week
Monday at Taupo
Lincoln Maree, Lincoln Lover.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
