Orange lands key World Champs drives at Winton

Jonny Turner Harness Racing Journalist

Winton is set to be a most vital stop off in the World Driving Championship for Blair Orange.

Orange has secured key drives in the four heats of the series to be run in Southland on Sunday.

After a steady start to the championship, the star reinsman built his form at Cambridge on Wednesday ahead of linking up with several favourites at Addington on Friday night.

Depending on those results, Orange looks a huge chance of continuing his momentum at Winton.

One of the reinsman’s best winning hopes is a horse he knows well in Close.

The mare has built strong form recently and drops in grade into a winnable race on Sunday for trainer Brian Norman.

“It does look like a good drop back in grade for her, she has been chasing Passchendaele and Toscana home and they’re not bad horses,” Norman said. s

“I was thrilled that Blair got on her, she can be a bit of a tricky horse but he knows her and knows how she likes to race.”

“Probably the draw isn’t ideal, but I am picking she won’t be unlucky.”

Orange also links up with the Nathan Williamson trained Passchendaele on Sunday.

The pacer brings winning form to the world championship after running to victory at Winton last week.

While pleased his charge could get the job done last week, trainer Nathan Williamson is hopeful of more from Passchendaele this time.

“It was a pretty solid effort to win last start, he worked mid race and held them off pretty well but I know he is capable of better than what he showed.”

“He seems to have come through the run quite well which is why we are backing him up.”

“He has the ability to win a race like this for sure, he probably just needs to show up with his best as they’re a bit more hardened in this grade.”

Orange also drives Hogie and Nubliah Chamay in the Winton heats of the World Driving Championship.

Hogie ran an encouraging race at Winton last week and looks to have three factors in his favour this time.

The pacer steps back in grade, gets the services of Orange and gets a big draw upgrade in barrier 1.

Nubliah Chamay ran an honest fourth at last week’s Winton meeting.

The trotter steps out in a similar field from the mobile, having placed in her only start from behind the gate.