By Jonny Turner
Champion reinsman Blair Orange has won nearly all of New Zealand’s most prestigious races in recent seasons, but if he is able to claim victory in the Canada Stakes it might just top them all.
Orange will compete in the newly conceived event named after Canada Broad, who has been battling terminal cancer this year.
Canada’s father, Jason Broad, is not only a very popular figure in southern harness racing circles, he is the general manager of the Southern Harness Racing organization and a good friend of Orange’s.
The pair’s friendship has strengthened, with the reinsman staying with Broad on his trips south to drive over the past several seasons.
Given his association with the family, Orange would dearly love to win the Canada’s special race.
“For sure, it would be right at the top of the list,” the reinsman said.
“It is going to be a very emotional race whoever wins it.”
“Jase and I have become really good mates; I have been staying with him the last few years on my trips down.”
“He keeps me informed, and I always ask him how things are going with Canada.”
“It is a really hard thing their family is going through.”
“It is going to be a really special day on Friday, and as I’ve said, it is going to be very emotional no matter who wins the race.”
Canada Broad will be with her family at Invercargill’s huge Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day meeting to watch the race named after her.
She will be presenting race winners with a trophy, flower garland, and dress rug.
Orange links up with the Kirstin Green-trained Bettor Sensation in the feature event.
While the filly isn’t rated among the top picks for the race, she has legitimate winning hopes.
“She is in with a chance; she is a handy wee horse,” Orange said.
“If she gets a bit of luck, she should go a nice race.”
“It would definitely be a huge thrill to be able to win the race, and I’ll be doing everything I can to do it.”
As well as competing in the Canada Stakes, Orange was involved in the organising of the race, canvassing trainers to nominate their fillies for the event.
That work has helped produce a stellar field for the three-year-old fillies’ feature.
Amore Infida looks the horse to beat in the race for Mark and Nathan Purdon from barrier 1.
Treacherous Gall beat the All Stars pacer home in her latest start in the New Zealand Oaks and she looks a huge winning threat despite drawing barrier 8.
