Elly Chapple is back in town - for a little while anyway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old has spent the last nine months working with Menangle harness racing identities Robbie and KerryAnn Morris at their Lucky Lodge stables.
Chapple is back home for the holidays and is set to feature at the Tamworth harness meeting on Thursday after accepting five drives.
"I am really excited to be home," Chapple said.
"I missed being home for my birthday and Father's Day but I have arrived in time for Christmas and New Year.
"I will be home till February and then head to Newcastle University to start up my studies to be a primary school teacher. I can't wait to start."
Chapple's time at the Morris Stables has been an eye-opening experience which included working beside the winning reinsman of the 2021 Inter Dominion in Joshua Gallagher.
"Josh and I worked together and it was great to see him win the final - he so deserved it," Chapple said.
"The lead up to the Inter Dominion Final was probably one of the best moments, just to see the whole series unfold, how it works and how they handle the best of the best horse-wise.
"It was a team effort, though."
The Morris Stables had Funky Monkey contesting the Trotters Series and Robyn's Playboy the Pacers in the 2021 Inter Dominion Series.
"It was such an eye opener in Sydney and a good experience. I got to drive a lot of nice horses and met a lot of nice people," she said.
READ ALSO:
Chapple is keen to be racing on her home track again and is in for a busy day.
Chapple will take the reins behind four of the five driving engagements for her father, Moonbi trainer Dean Chapple, starting in the second event with Don't Tell Dorothy, a horse she took to Sydney.
"I sent him [Don't Tell Dorothy] home earlier to have a spell and he has worked up again in time to have a start," Chapple said.
"He has a beautiful draw on Thursday."
Don't Tell Dorothy will commence from the one barrier.
Chapple will then follow on with Shannon's Shadow, Nor Westa and Brie for her father's Gully Lodge stables.
"I think they are all nice horses," Chapple said.
"Three of them have nice draws so I am hoping for the best and I have picked up a drive for Mick Finlay."
The Chapple name will feature 14 times at the Tamworth meeting with Dean's younger brother Guy making the trip from Maitland to take the drive behind Rocklea Star, trained by his son Mitch, who is engaged in the Tamworth HRC-Christmas Gift Box Pace.
