Former Tamworth horseman Jack Chapple has settled into life near Bathurst, working for Bernie and Cath Hewitt at their Georges Plains harness racing stables.
Chapple originally made the move to “see how things would pan out” but the 16-year-old has taken the opportunity with two hands and run with it, picking up regular drives for the stable and gaining valuable experience under Hewitt’s watchful eye.
“I am really loving my time here in Bathurst,” said Chapple.
“Bernie and Cath and their family are wonderful people from whom I am learning so much.
“It was an ideal situation for me to move from home and gain new experiences at this early stage of my life.”
Chapple was given the perfect grounding to be a part of the harness racing industry by his parents, his dad Dean a multiple Tamworth Premiership winning trainer and mum Julie a successful trainer in her own right.
Added to that, Chapple grew up driving mini totters from a young age, claiming many race wins along the way, and travelling to mini trot carnivals throughout the eastern seaboard.
“Dad and Mum have always been supportive of my quest to etch a career as a reinsman and have afforded me every opportunity to do so,” said Chapple.
“Growing up, both my sister Elly and I had the ponies to drive, and both of us progressed onto driving the big horses once Dad was satisfied that we were capable and confident enough to handle them.
“Our life has always been about the horses and going to the trots and we all love it.”
Tonight, Chapple will drive in five races at Bathurst with four of his drives at long odds.
He does have a strong each-way chance in race four where he will partner Ryans Gangster for Jason Hewitt.
Numerically the gelding’s form does not read well but from gate one he will be looking to regain some winning form.
Ryans Gangster has not won since October last year when he was racing in Queensland, however, tonight’s race appears to be a slight drop in grade from those he has contested of late, and the draw and distance should suit him perfectly.
“If we are able to push through and be prominent in the run, I feel he will be hard to beat,” Chapple explained.
For complete race entries, click here.
by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW