Blair Orange driving one hundred winners in a season might not seem like a big deal but as the seven-time premiership winning driver approaches three figures again, it’s just as important as the first time.
“I remember the first time I got it done (2014) as it was with Donsmedad at Addington for the late Mike Austin who gave me so many opportunities early on. When I started out at Tim Butt’s, driving a winner was a goal so I never take any win for granted,” he added.
It would be the 12th consecutive season Orange has racked up three figures, equalling the record held by Maurice McKendry. He currently shares the second-longest streak (11 seasons) with Dexter Dunn and Tony Herlihy.
Herlihy still holds the record for the most 100-win seasons overall, with 17 to his name – although they weren’t all back-to-back.
The gun driver has a number of good opportunities at Addington on Friday but has decided to head South on Sunday for the Invercargill meeting with a near full book of drives.
“I’ve looked at the next 12 months and note there will be a lot more clashes with Canterbury meetings on Sundays so I will just have to weigh things up each week. I have had such great support in Southland and driven a lot of winners for some terrific people and that will definitely play a part going forward.”
Amongst his book on Friday are the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety pair of Sugar Babe and Magician. The former is a last-start winner likely to face her stiffest opposition from her stablemate Forever Dream, whilst Magician takes on a strong field full of form in the Dallas and Sam Boyd Mobile Pace. The son of Captain Treacherous went a sound race first up when 7th behind the flying Akatea, so is likely to strip a lot fitter with the Diamond Racing pair of Miki Knows and Always B You likely to prove the hardest to beat.
On Sunday his book includes the Mark Jones-trained pair of Ultimate Gladiator (R4) and Tact Tena, the latter in the final race. She has been in excellent form at Addington including a last-start 3rd behind the smart Ocean Of Tears but does have a 2nd row draw to contend with this week.