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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Our runners this week
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
What’s Up The Hill, Leo Lincoln, Onyx Shard.
Friday night at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm
“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm
“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm
“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm
“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
