Harrison Orange (right) after securing his first Australian victory in Queensland. Photo by The Creek
There is an unfamiliar name listed in this week's Bathurst formguide.
Star junior Kiwi reinsman Harrison Orange is in the central west on a working holiday, spending time at the stable of Nathan Turnbull, and has four drives at Bathurst on Wedneswday night.
The 19-year-old is a member of one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded families, with his father Blair boasting a strong record as one of the country’s leading reinsmen.
The youngster kicked off his career in flying fashion under the tutorage of his dad but has also had the fortune of working for Hall of Famer Barry Purdon and his training partner Scott Phelan at their Clevedon stables just south of Auckland where Harrison currently resides.
Adding to the heightened knowledge at Orange’s disposal, he is also guided by one of New Zealand’s finest with Zac Butcher being the number one driver for the Purdon-Phelan operation.
The opportunity to come and work in Australia was made possible for Orange after he won the Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Driver Race Series earlier this year.
Orange has spent the past few weeks in Queensland for the winter carnival where he gained invaluable experience working alongside Chantel Turpin and Pete McMullen and picking up a few drives.
“I have really enjoyed my time in Australia, it has been a great experience,” said Orange.
“Pete and Chantel have been great hosts, and Queensland was a real buzz with all the featureracing happening up there.
“I also became good friends with Tom Callaghan who works for Pete and Chantel, and he was kind enough to give me a couple of his regular drives which was really good of him.
“I am now enjoying my time in Bathurst, the Turnbull family are very welcoming people.
“Hopefully I can get a winner tonight to put the icing on the cake for my short stay here.”
Barrier draws have not been kind to Orange but his best chance of success appears to lay with honest pacer Memphis Fury in race five.
He has not been beaten all that far in his past few runs and before that put wins together at Penrith and Bathurst.
From gate five he may have the speed to find a forward position which will suit his racing style over the 1730 metre trip.
