Orange upbeat on his chances in the Hannon Memorial

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Take two showed Blair Orange everything he needed to see ahead of the Group 3 Placemakers Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday.

After taking out last year’s edition of the Oamaru feature, the leading reinsman is back in 2025, renewing his association with star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming.

Don’t Stop Dreaming starts his march towards the New Zealand Cup on Sunday, having trialled twice for trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen.

The first of those was a quiet outing, but the second gave Orange the feel he wanted.

“I’ve been happy with his two trials back, the first run was a quiet one and then last week he actually trialled really nice and punched the line as good as he could.”

“He’s got a good barrier draw (1) on Sunday and I expect him to be thereabouts.”

Their established star status has seen Don’t Stop Dreaming and 2023 Hannon Memorial winner Akuta dominate the market for this year’s edition.

Akuta has the benefit of having three starts back this time in, which effectively hands him the favouritism tag ahead of his number one rival.

Akuta returns to Oamaru for the first time in two years following a fighting fifth in the New Brighton Cup, which is sure to have helped build his fitness levels following his return from a lengthy lay off.

Don’t Stop Dreaming is among a powerful book of drives Orange takes on Hannon Memorial Day.

The reinsman links up with Nellie Doyle in the Group 3 Jasmyn’s Gift Stakes, who also starts fresh up at Oamaru.

“I haven’t driven her at the trials in her couple of runs back this time, but from what I’ve seen she’s looked good.”

“She’s a horse that’s taken some good steps in a very short time, look for her late but she’ll improve with this run.”

General Jen looks one of Orange’s best winning hopes at Oamaru.

The classy filly is another returning fresh after trialling well and she has a big advantage over her key rivals in a strong Nevele R Fillies Series heat, having drawn barrier 2.

“She’s a lovely three-year-old and she’s got the right barrier draw over some of the harder ones.”

“Hopefully we can put that to her advantage and she can be hard to beat.”

Helius is another winning threat for Orange, going into Sunday’s two-year-old feature unbeaten in his only start at the races.

“He’s a progressive horse, and his trial last week was nice.”

“He’s got good gate speed to utilise.”

“He’ll leave everything out there, he’s not paid up for anything and he’ll go to the paddock after this.”

Helius’ stablemate Rockin Roman looks an each way threat for Orange on Sunday while Loveyourmother is another genuine winning hope in Oamaru’s finale.

Jonny Turner’s top five for Oamaru 

Akuta

Race fitness looks set to give Akuta a key advantage in this year’s Placemakers Hannon Memorial. It’s somewhat ironic that a horse who recently spent 20 months on the sidelines now brings a fitness edge, but that’s the case here. The progression Akuta has shown in his last two starts looks central to his chances. He heads to Oamaru in search of another Hannon title after sticking on gamely for fifth at Addington last start. Akuta worked hard inside the final lap and still finished less than two lengths from the winner. He’s sure to strip even fitter on Sunday in a race where his main dangers are either first-up or lightly raced this spring.It all points to Akuta being a deserved short-priced favourite.

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Cody Banner

He can be unpredictable and provide a nervous watch, but Cody Banner will always try his heart out. There’s no questioning his ability or his will to win as he lines up in what looks a very suitable Hannon Memorial Day assignment. But as most southern harness racing followers know, he’s never been one to trust with absolute confidence. If he produces his best manners, he’s the top pick and arguably the hardest horse to beat in the race.

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Elton J

Punters will need to decide for themselves whether Elton J is a rocketman ahead of his Hannon Memorial Day debut. Plenty of mystery surrounds the pacer as he makes the long trek south from Marlborough for his first Otago appearance. He’s had just one trial—against a single rival—but the stopwatch suggested he produced sharp sectionals to win. With no video replay available, the clock is the only guide. Lining up in a maiden field not overflowing with exposed form, Elton J has to be taken seriously. If early betting is any indication, he could prove very hard to catch.

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C C Arden

If he can recapture anything like his best, C C Arden looks capable of delivering a slick win in Sunday’s finale. Though he hasn’t been in peak form lately, his efforts have still been respectable in strong company. Back in grade at Oamaru and armed with a favourable draw over several key rivals, he gets a prime chance to rebound. Expect driver Tim Williams to be positive from barrier 5 and for his three-year-old charge to play a big part in the finish.

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General Jen

General Jen was going to be a major threat from most draws in Sunday’s three-year-old fillies heat, but landing barrier 2 sent her chances soaring. She’s all class, proven against New Zealand’s best fillies, and recent trial work suggests she’s primed for her racetrack return. Driver Blair Orange is certain to make full use of the low draw and, over 2000m, General Jen looks the one to catch. Perhaps the only surprise leading into Sunday was that she didn’t open a clear-cut favourite — something that changed quickly.

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