by Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The Queensland driving ranks have been bolstered with the recent arrival of former Moonbi (NSW) junior driver, Jack Chapple.
The Tamworth-born and educated 18-year-old only started working at Grant and Trista Dixon’s Tamborine stable three weeks ago, and after just seven drives at Redcliffe Paceway on Thursday (June 20), he had already driven three winners and one place-getter.
His hatrick came via three Dixon trainees on Wednesday (June 19) and Thursday this week.
The talented teenager drove $3.30 favourite, Captain’s Pick (2), to win race three on Wednesday by a neck, and then the following day he steered $4.60 third favourite Chamonix (4) to win race six by 8.7m in a slick 1:55.9. Then four races later (R10), Chapple saluted the judge behind Blackjack Beth (2), who won by 1.1m as the $4.60 favourite, in 1:59.9.
“I’m excited to be here. It was great to get that first Redcliffe win out of the way on Wednesday, after winning in Queensland for the first time at Albion Park last Friday behind We Always Have Faith (race four). Then to follow it that first ‘Triangle’ win with two more the next day was just awesome. It’s taking me a few drives to get used to the track, and I’m still learning, but I like it.
“I’d never driven up here (Redcliffe) until last week when I had one drive for a fourth behind Reds Star Deal. It’s different with three straights. You can’t make your run too soon down the back knowing there’s still two bends to take. I’ve driven at quite a few tracks down south now and a lot of them are similar. Different is good,” Chapple said.
Chapple, who was educated at The Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, said he left school in Year 10 in 2022, and had been happily working at Bernie Hewitt’s stable at Bathurst. Then just a month ago he said he received a call “out of nowhere” from Dixon.
“I was quite happy working at Bernie and Cath’s, because as well as my family, Bernie has been a big mentor, and got me race-drives back home. I went there straight from school – and was there for about 18 months. Bernie taught me a lot, but Grant gave me an offer that was too good to pass, and being only 18 I thought it was time for a change and time to do something different,” Chapple said.
“I can now see why Grant’s one of the best horsemen in Australia. He treats every horse individually and ensures they all have their own personal attention. It’s a new and exciting challenge. I’d only ever been to Redcliffe to watch races when I was on holiday up here,” he added.
In his brief career to date Chapple his reined 56 winners from 5,88 starters in two-and-a-half seasons. He’s also placed 102 times and netted $493,619 in stakes.
Chapple is on target to beat his personal best season of 33 wins recorded last year. So far he’s saluted the judge 20 times in 2024.
He said his trio of Redcliffe wins were right up there with some of his highlights so far in his brief career.
“I’m getting better with every race at Redcliffe. It’s good to get your head around something new. I’ve already had some memorable days at the races.”
Chapple said he would never forget his first race-day win behind the Ian Mabbott trained $14 fifth-favourite, Tralee Rocks on his Tamworth home track on June 16, 2022.
“That was pretty memorable because it was my first day of driving. Earlier on the card I drove Dad’s (Dean) horse, Louthparkschooner, to finish third in my first race-day drive. It was also the week of my 16thbirthday,” Chapple said,
However, he said his most successful day in the sulky came at Bathurst on November 8 last year when Chapple drove his first hatrick behind the Bernie Hewitt trained Sargent and Always Lightning in races three and six; and the Peter Keogh trained Rusty McCool in race three.
Chapple is the son of a multiple Tamworth Premiership winning trainer Dean (395 training wins – $1.7m) and Julie, who herself is a former trainer, and very proficient horsewoman.
Chapple has one sister named Elly, who has driven 25 winners ($303,298) in the bike, and trained one winner in 2021. The 21-year-old has had three driving triumphs from 53 starts so far this season.
“I learnt a lot from family. I was always destined to be a horseman. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do and that’s why I left school in Year 10. Guy and Angela are my Uncle and Aunt, and Katie are Mitch is my cousins. When we were young Elly and I used to drive the mini-trotters, and Mum and Dad would take us everywhere.
“Then we progressed on to the big horses when Dad thought Elly and I were confident and good enough to get in behind them. We grew up going to the races. We all loved it, and I still do. Queensland has given my career a fresh start,” Chapple said.
