KEY POINTS:
One of the unexpected stars at Invercargill tomorrow when the Southland harness racing season opens won't be a horse. It will be a driver.
The Invercargill Harness Racing Club's meeting at Ascot Park sees few big-name horses on show but one of New Zealand's best reinsmen, Blair Orange, is a surprise participant.
Orange had his best season yet last term, reining a string of major race winners, headlined by his two wins at the Harness Jewels meeting at Ashburton in June.
These days Orange is firmly established as one of the country's big-race drivers but he rarely gets the chance to show his skills outside Canterbury.
"I drive at Forbury Park a bit but mainly stay closer to home because my first responsibility is Mark's horses," Orange said in reference to his employer, trainer Mark Purdon.
The opportunity to take outside drives is important.
"These days I have a young son and Lisa [partner] is looking after him, so any money coming in is great. While I wouldn't be able to travel to every meeting away, this week's one is a Sunday and that doesn't affect my work for Mark and Grant [Payne]."
- NZPA
