Harry v Larry

Harrison Orange looks forward to sharing the big harness racing stage with champion Leap To Fame in the Go Media New Zealand Cup in November.

“It’ll be cool to be in a race with him,” he said.

Better Knuckle Up’s (Bettor’s Delight) win last night at Alexandra Park means Orange will experience two firsts – a drive at a NZ Cup Day meeting and a drive in the NZ Cup itself.

“It’s pretty exciting. I’m definitely counting down the days. Probably on the day there will be a few nerves.”

Orange also won the feature trot last night with Higher Power (Father Patrick). Both horses are trained by his employers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.

Harrison got Higher Power off to a brilliant start and took the early lead before handing up to stablemate Meant To Be. When Hillbilly Blues powered to the front Higher Power was left three back on the inside.

Turning in, the field opened up and Orange brought Higher Power four wide to make his run. Once balanced up the four year old gelding stormed down the middle of the track to win by three and a quarter lengths from Bolt For The Hills.

“When he came off a helmet he showed quite a lot of speed to pick them up so quickly.”

The win was Higher Power’s second this campaign and the eleventh of his career.

“I drove him a bit last time in and he’s been very good to me. I’m looking forward to getting him down south and seeing where we’re at with the rest of them. He’s very dominant over a short trip but as we saw last night he can follow them and still come home.”

In The Holmes DG, Orange settled Better Knuckle Up three back on the inside before in a smart move he headed to the top with a lap to run.

“The one in front of us (Lord Delmar) wasn’t going to get us too far. With Scottie in front (Jeremiah) the lead was going to be there. He was a wee bit lazy going round in the first bit but once he got into his gears he was pretty strong and did it very easily.”

At the top of the lane Better Knuckle Up was travelling and came away to beat stablemate Merlin by six and a quarter lengths.

“Merlin’s just taken a few runs to get into full flight again. It’s always good when you have a gap like that against proven horses.”

The winning time of 3-18.1 was a second outside Triple Eight’s race record of 3-17.2.

“We always thought he was pretty good. His run in the Cup last year was very good. I wasn’t too surprised with the way he went. Obviously he won very well.”

It was Better Knuckle Up’s eighth win and his first since March.

Orange says Better Knuckle Up isn’t the perfect package when it comes to standing starts but he has a good record over 3200 metres and is very good following speed.

Higher Power is now certain to make the cut for the Renwick Farms Dominion while Better Knuckle Up’s win in The Holmes DG gained him automatic entry to November’s big pacing feature.

Add in three year old Fly High (Bettor’s Wish) who won a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series last Friday and Orange could have a big Cup Day ahead of him.

“She’s airborne. She’s pretty versatile. She’ll be a good chance in those races down there.”

Harrison’s father Blair has driven in numerous NZ Cups. He won with Copy That in 2021 and 2022, with Cruz Bromac in 2019. He took out the Dominion Handicap with Habibti Inta in 2019.

“With Dad, Barry and Scottie I’ve definitely got a great team around me.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink