Trainer-driver Mitch Chapple. Photo by Amanda Rando
Hunter Valley trainer-driver Mitch Chapple has had a burning ambition to win a feature race over the Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival for as long as he can remember.
Chapple has been frequenting the Bathurst Carnival with his family since his childhood, supporting his father Guy but is now facing a realistic chance of claiming one of those feature races when he contests the Gold Chalice series with his three-year-old colt Always Be Chaps.
“My family has always supported Bathurst, enjoying all that it offers,” said Chapple.
“It has been a race series that we have aimed our juvenile horses towards, and I would absolutely love to be able to pick up one of its big features.
“We qualified our filly La Cabeza Gem for the 2020 Tiara after she won a heat. But the winner of the Final, Joanna clocked 1.53.8 that year which was record breaking and that is the closest we have ever been.”
Building an impressive record, Always Be Chaps has won six of his 11 starts, including his past two at Newcastle.
Chapple admits that his colt is yet to be thrown in the deep end, but he is quietly confident that he can put up a good show in the first of four heats this afternoon.
“We have drawn nicely in gate three, and he possesses good early speed which should aid him in finding a forward position,” he said.
“That said, the likely favourite War Dan Buddy has drawn barrier one and is clearly the class horse in the race.
“But I will head forward with him and hopefully lob a favourable spot.
“Being realistic, he has not yet been tested in this grade, but he has earned a crack, given that he has shown a bit of toughness under pressure.”
