By Matt Markham
He’s got small numbers, but what Blair Orange also has at Rangiora on Thursday is good chances.
The in-form driver will sit behind just four runners at the low-key Thursday afternoon meeting but all four look potentially capable of winning their respective races with all favours.
Smart three-year-old Wannabet clearly stands out as his best of the day based on his performances thus far.
The Bettor’s Delight gelding took on Lazarus an co. in the final Sires’ Stakes Series heat at Addington last time out and while he finished seventh, he was far from disgraced – beaten six lengths.
That quality of field is a mile away from what the Ken Barron trained pacer lines up against today and Orange should be able to take luck out of the equation.
Barron and Orange also combine with maiden pacer Brunello who finished fifth on debut at Ashburton in behind a hot quarter of GI Joe, He Can Fly, Hypervelocity and Bite The Bullet.
Like his stable mate, the Real Desire gelding meets a much weaker field than that today and if he can get away cleanly from the mobile arm over the 2000 metres, he should be tough to hold out – although the Brendon Hill trained debutant, Star Fantasy has quite the reputation.
Ralph Elliot rounds out the Orange/Barron charge for the day and he can also make use of a one barrier with his great stand start manners. The son of Flashing Red finished third behind Benicio last time out but does have some stiff competition again in the form of Hickstead who was a last start winner for Jimmy Curtin.
Orange’s fourth drive of the day comes on Donsmedad for Mike Austin.
Second up after a solid sixth behind Pyramid Monarch, the Sundon mare should be able to make full use of her notable gate speed and lead out before handing up to a suitable front runner – potentially Tehoro Holly.
Mark Jones will line up two horses in the same race as Donsmedad with Kowhai Whiz and Danke both representing his barn.
Danke resumed with a very good fresh up fourth on Monday at Kaikoura but if on the quick back up and Jones believed Kowhai Whiz, who will be driven by Laura McKay, might be the stronger of the pair – despite an outside of the front line draw.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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