It is an advantage for Gary Hall Junior after the fields were cleared for the first round of the World Driving Championships in Kaikoura on Sunday.
The Australian will ride last-start winner Hoof It Hagrid in the opening heat, then the in-form Midnight Diamond and Spirit Downunder in the third and final heat of the day.
New Zealand representative Blair Orange, who was a $4 favorite on the TAB to win the WDC, will pilot Steelintheheel in the first heat, followed by Aldebaran Crystal and Ohoka Cobra.
Assessing the first three heats, trackside presenter and form analyst Greg O’Connor is convinced the likeable West Australian has done best.
“Gary Hall took off for a kite,” says O’Connor.
“Look at a horse like Midnight Diamond. He’s flying at the moment, even though he has a tough draw behind Holly Highlander.”
Midnight Diamond has won her last three starts for trainer Ross Houghton, drawing one on the second row in the 1900m.
As far as Blair Orange is concerned, familiarity with the horses and the courses is his big advantage.
“Ohoka Cobra seems to be the favorite of his drivers,” says O’Connor.
“He has ridden the horse before and had success with him before.”
That was in Addington in June.
The Regan Todd-trained Aldebaran Crystal is another he knows well.
“She has ability and could be a factor at her best, but needs to improve,” O’Connor said.
The ten drivers will gather in Christchurch this week before heading to Kaikoura this weekend.
The 10 drivers are: (in alphabetical order)
They are: Brett Beckwith (USA), Mats Djuse (Sweden), Gary Hall Junior (Australia), James MacDonald (Canada), Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy), Michael Nimczyk (Germany), Blair Orange (NZ), Santtu Raitala (Finland), Jaap Van Rijn (Netherlands) and Pierre Vercruysee (France).
There will be 20 heats over 9 days (November 2-11) at four locations
Kaikoura November 2 and 3
Cambridge November 5
Addington November 7
Winston November 9
Addington (NZ Cup Day) November 11
For more information visit wdc25.nz
To see Sunday’s fields in Kaikoura click here
By means of Dave Di SommaHarness News Desk
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