Victorian harness racing driver Jordan Chibnall claimed her biggest winner in the sulky when partnering Glenledi Elvis ($3.80 fav) to victory in the Nutrien Ag Solutions Tassie Golden Apple (2200m) in Launceston on Sunday afternoon.
Trained by Chibnall’s partner Conor Crook, Glenledi Elvis stepped cleanly in the standing start event to lead, before handing up when challenged by $61 outsider We Salute You in the early stages of the race, with Chibnall quickly getting the five-year-old A Rocknroll Dance gelding away from the pylons to lead up the one-wide line.
After a 45.1s lead time and a 32.3s first quarter, the tempo then increased to 29.2s, 27.8s before a 29.7s final quarter, with the mile rate recorded in 2:00.1s.
Glenledi Elvis kicked clear at the 400m, and went on to win by two metres over The Croupier ($17), with Stepping Stones a further 2.6m away third.
“He was pretty impressive,” said Chibnall after the race.
“He was happy sitting out there (in the death), and he toughed it out well.
“He actually switched off a bit when he hit the front, so I was glad when The Coupier came at him, as when he heard him, he kicked on well,” the driver explained.
Glenledi Elvis’s standing start manners almost cost him eligibility for the series. He only qualified from a standing start at the last set of trials held in the state prior to the close of nominations for the heats.
His manners early in the heat were also not the best, and he galloped away.
“I gave him a few jumpaways (in the prelim) and found that not using my whip was the best way to go, and he obviously stepped really well, so it’s good we have worked out how to get him away, and hopefully his manners will stay good.
Glenledi Elivs is raced by Mick Boots, who has been growing his Tasmanian presence over the past 12 months.
“Conor had Magnetic Terror for Mick, and Conor mentioned that we were heading to Tassie and he was keen to send him down.
“He will probably have a quiet week, and then I reckon Conor will work out where he goes from there,” said Chibnall.
Chibnall ended the day with a driving double, claiming the Lees Orchard Golden Girls (2200m) with the John Castles trained Spot Ruler ($4.60).
6ty° Youngbloods Challenge
A driving double in the final two heats of the 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge was enough for 18-year-old Brodie Davis to claim the series.
Davis drove a fourth and second placing in the first two heats before wins aboard Settebello ($15) and Octagonise ($2.80 fav).
“I knew I was well placed going into the final leg, and I knew on Tuesday when the fields came out that Octagonise was my best drive for the series.
“I’m thrilled to win it. It’s great to get your name put up with a lot of good drivers that have won it over the years,” said Davis.
Davis, 18, holds a three-win lead in the state’s junior drivers premiership, with the series win adding to a breakout season that has included wins in the Easter Cup and Evicus, both at Group 3 level.
Final point score
51 – Brodie Davis,
40 – Olivia Weidenbach,
36 – Malcom Jones,
30 – Mitch Ford,
23 – Jacob Duggan,
22 – Jordan Chibnall,
22- Grace Jones,
18 – Charlie Castles,
16 – Kayleb Williams and Ethan Arnott.
