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.
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Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
1.35pm
“This looks a good race for him. We haven’t done anything with him since Thursday but, with natural improvement after such a long spell, he has to be the one to beat.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
3.04pm
“She should be dangerous from two. It was a good effort to sit parked last week and you’d expect natural improvement from that fresh-up run. She’s a pretty good filly.”
Race 5: Commander Lincoln
3.05pm
“Onyx Shard looks a better chance from two but he has the advantage of being hard fit.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
3.29pm
“This is a big drop in class for him and he is definitely the one to beat, on paper. From the inside draw you’re obligated to leave, or risk being crossed, but he gets out okay.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
3.29pm
“It was a better run than it looked last time when she was held up in the home straight. She’s improving dramatically all the time and I expect her to give them a fright.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
3.58pm
“The winning time was only 2:47 last week but It wouldn’t have mattered what time they went, he was going to win. This is harder but there’s no reason he couldn’t do it again.”
Race 9: The Big Lebowski
4.57pm
“He stands over them on class and you can’t fault what he’s doing. He’s a big winning chance, despite the 35 metre handicap. He’s the only one on the mark so he should step well and be the one to beat.”
