It’s a matter of when, not if, for Blair Orange, the best driver in the country.
The seven-time premiership winner is vying to become just the fourth rider in this country’s running history to break the 3,000-win mark, joining Tony Herlihy (3,717 wins), Maurice McKendry (3,429) and Ricky May (3,189).
With his career total now at 2996, he has six rides at Addington today. Any victory will obviously bring him closer to his milestone, although he is hardly confident ahead of midweek’s eighth race programme.
“They are a bit of a mixed bag,” says Oranje about his motivations, “we will need a bit of luck.”
Three of his rides will be for Michael House, starting with The Beach House in the first, The Lather Up – World Class Sire, Real World Value Mobile Pace. He drew one over 1980 meters.
“He was honest last week and seems to have a good top three-top four chance.”
Stablemate and last-start winner Million Dollar Chic will be Orange’s drive in race 2, the American Ideal – A Lasting Legacy Mobile Pace (5.10pm).
“He won well last time, but we will need a bit of luck in the external draw.”
Another House runner Courage Reactor also went wide in Race 5, the Sweet Lou – The Future Is Sweet Mobile Pace (6.55pm).
The six-year-old mare comes two-thirds into the race.
“She’s a sitting sprinter, so we’re just waiting to see how things develop,” says Orange.
Both Million Dollar Chic ($3) and Courage Reactor ($3.60) opened as favorites in their respective races.
Orange will once again cover five special effects for the trotter ($5.50) in Race 6, the Speeding Spur – The Trotting Titan Handicap Trot (7:30 p.m.).
The Father Patrick gelding broke last start.
“I take some of the responsibility for galloping him,” says Oranje. “I will be a little more careful at the start and he has a chance.”
Orange’s other two stages that evening are Without Comparison (Race 3) and Fear Gogh (Race 8).
So far this season, the Dutch team has recorded 141 victories, putting them 36 ahead of nearest challenger Tim Williams. His latest victory came with Tokyo Rose in Sunday’s Placemakers Oamaru Cup.
The race starts today at 4:35 PM.
To see the fields of Addington click here
Through Dave Di Sommafor Harness News Desk
#Dutch #team #approaching #victories #career