By Brigette Solomon
Junior driver Harrison Orange had another successful day bringing up a winning driving double with Michael House-trained runners at Otaki’s grass track meeting yesterday.
“It was really good to get another double, today’s was probably more satisfying because both won outright whereas Son Of Patrick was promoted up on Thursday,” said Orange.
Orange’s first win of the day came when Fabricate took out the Kidz Kartz 19th January @ Otaki Mobile Pace.
In a well rated drive, Fabricate found the lead easily where she remained throughout, only briefly challenged at the top of the home straight by Call Security. The Vincent mare was still travelling well though and pulled clear in the final stages to win by 1.5 lengths with the placings filled by Call Security and The Elite Athlete.
“Heading into the race I thought Fabricate should be able to get the lead and she found the front easily today and had it pretty easy in running too,” said Orange, “she had been a little keen in front on Thursday but today she was really relaxed and went a nice race.”
The success continued with Orange and House next taking out the Harness Racing @ Otaki January 19th & 21st Mobile Pace with Megyn Kelly who made it back to back wins after scoring her maiden victory at Tauherenikau on Thursday.
“I thought she’d be a good chance again today,” said Orange, “she was a bit more tractable today and having one alongside her all the way up the straight helped.”
Megyn Kelly was a length off the starting arm when the race began leaving Orange little option but to settle the mare back in the early stages. Once the field settled into running, Orange took the mare three wide at the 1400 metre mark and went forward finding the lead with 1000 metres left to run. Although she put in a few rough strides throughout the straight, Meghan Kelly still looked to have running in her and she battled on well when the challenges came to win by half a length.
Alongside his winners, Orange also placed third on the house trained Stickifingers in Past Members Memorial Pace.
“She went well, we pulled her hopples up a couple of holes as she broke on Thursday and she paced well today,” said Orange, “it was always going to be hard coming off the back of What A Minx who won, but she still went a good race.”
It has been a positive start to the new year with the Auckland-based junior driver, who is employed by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, having brought up four wins, and a third placing from just 10 drives.
