Lady drivers steal the show with six winners

LADIES “reined” supreme at the Tamworth on Thursday  – winning six of the nine races on the program.

Elly Chapple, who was contesting her first meeting at Tamworth since returning from the Robbie and KerryAnn Morris stables in Sydney, picked up a driving double.

Jemma Coney produced a driving double and Grace Panella also picked up a winning drive.

All three ladies are 19 years of age while Caitlin McElhinney, aged 20 had an extra title with her win as she was listed as trainer and driver.

Coney began the winning run for the ladies in the opening event with new stable acquisition Kalypso Sal, who was notching up her first career win and returning $19 to punters.

Kalypso Sal led all the way, finishing the 1609m race with a 1.5 metre win over Lucky Terror (Mitch Turnbull) with Muddy Montana (Danny Mackney) 1.9 metres away third.

“Hopefully she continues to improve – she has showed us a lot today with that win,” said Coney.

Stablemate, two-year-old pacer and $1.75 race favourite Run From Terror then saw Coney back into the winners’ circle after a massive three-wide run a lap from home to take out The Magic Pudding-Gifts & Hampers Pace (1980m).

Run From Terror scored by 8.5m from Blissfull Identity (Dean Chapple) with Red Envy (Mitch Turnbull) a head away third.

“I was a little bit worried when I saw how much in front Mystical Jazz was but this horse has such a good turn of foot and went well – he is my favourite in the stables,” said Coney.

The two wins also presented Coney’s father Greg with a training double.

Elly Chapple then made a welcome return to her home track, taking out the PeterMac Photography Pace with an all-the-way win behind $1.90 race favourite Don’t Tell Dorothy.

“He was racing some tough horses when we were down in Sydney and when he drew the front today, I knew he would be hard to get crossed and hard to beat,” said Chapple.

“I was worried about Dad and his horse racing on my back but when we got past the 600m mark, I knew I had them.

“I’m very happy with this horse – he has done a good job for me.”

Don’t Tell Dorothy scored a 16.1m win over stablemate Beryl, driven by Dean Chapple, who was also listed as the trainer of the two pacers.

Uncle Gregory (Courtney Sutherland) was a further 4.1m away third.

Chapple then wrapped up the meeting, taking out the final event behind Brie, also trained by Dean Chapple and returning $51 to punters.

“She struggles a little on the corners here so had to keep her going as good as we could,” said Chapple.

“I was very confident 400m from home though.

“The stable has had a good day at the track, they just needed me back,” grinned Chapple.

The final race on the program encapsulated the female brigade with Brie (Elly Chapple) scoring a 2.2 metre over The Narrator (Grace Panella) with Kenfury Lass (Caitlin McElhinney) 3.3 metres away third. Jemma Coney finished fourth with Watchful Lady.

Miso Miso, trained by Tony Missen was superbly handled by Grace Panella to take out the Tamworth HRC Christmas Gift Box Pace (1609m) with a mile rate of 1.56.9

The gelding who came from barrier 10 was placed three back on the outside running line by Panella before a three-wide sprint up the back straight on the final occasion.

Miso Miso raced away for a 24.3m win over stablemate My Kinda Justus (Anthony Varga) with Diesel Don (Jemma Coney) 3.4m away third.

“I don’t have much luck when I come to Tamworth so it’s good to get the monkey off my back,” said Panella after scoring her first winning drive at the Tamworth Paceway.

“The horse was very impressive last start and coming into the back straight today he just skipped away.”

Caitlin McElhinney guided her pacer Wotnow Swanee for an all-the-way win in taking out the RN3 Historic Fire Asset Restoration Group Pace by a half neck over Somebeachsomegift (Jeffery Enks) with Mac Stubborn Anthony Varga a head away third.

“I thought he could lead all the way, which he did” said McElhinney of the five-year-old gelding.

“I got a pretty easy first quarter and then sprinted the last quarter.

“I have had a pretty good season of training; it is only my second season.”

The men did gain a look-in with Dean Chapple scoring a training and driving win behind Grandview; Tom Ison had a win with Faiselle, while Brad Elder also presented in the winners’ circle with Jiggy Rhythm.

 – JULIE MAUGHAN

IMPRESSIVE: Kalypso Sal returns after scoring at Tamworth. PHOTO: Peter Mac Photography.