No New Zealand Cup drive for the country's best

For some it would seem inconceivable – how can a three-time New Zealand Cup-winning driver and eight-time New Zealand champion not drive in the biggest race of them all?

But that is the reality in 2026.

Blair Orange, this country’s leading driver by a stretch, will not be driving in Tuesday’s $800,000 Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington, but his 19-year-old son Harrison will be.

“It’s just the ways the cards have fallen this year, there’s no point dwelling on it and it’s 100 per cent support for Harry,” says Blair Orange.

It’s the first time since 2015 Orange has not driven in the Cup.

The reason : many of the Cup starters will be driven by their stables’ go-to or number one drivers, and that means a freelancer, even as credentialled as Orange is, misses out.

Harry, who works for the top northern stable of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, will drive one of their runners Better Knuckle Up in the big race.

Last year the horse was fourth and this year he’s up against the mighty Australian trio of Leap To Fame, defending champion Kingman and two-time champion Swayzee as well as top local hopes like Marketplace.

“If he could finish fifth or sixth that would be a big moment,” says Blair.

“He’s certainly driving horses for the right barn and they are good mentors.”

“He’ll be nervous before the race but it’s a privilege to be nervous before races like these.”

So what advice does he have for his son making his NZ Cup debut?

“Do your form, don’t overthink it and enjoy the day.”

Orange knows more than most about the second Tuesday in November. He has won the Cup on Copy That (twice) and with Cruz Bromac. In 2019 he also completed the Cup – Dominion Trot Group 1 double with Cruz Bromac and Habibti Inta.

With no Cup drive Orange says the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion is a big goal this year.

He will drive four-year-old mare Habibti Pat after she sealed her place in the race by winning the D G Jones Banks Peninsula Cup at Addington in September.

“I think the extra distance (3200m) will suit and I’m looking forward to sitting behind her and seeing how she measures up.”

Orange (senior) has other key drives on the day with favourite Secret Wish in the $200,000 Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Final and Coal Fire in the $200,000 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes 2YO Colts and Geldings Final.

 

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk