Chapple’s Queensland stint off to a flying start

By Jordan Gerrans

If Mitch Chapple’s first winner of his Queensland stint is anything to go by, then he is in for a mighty time in the Sunshine State.

The 28-year-old has linked up with popular Redcliffe horseman Donny Smith and, after being in the Sunshine State for less than a week, the reinsman produced a breathtaking victory aboard Captain Jazz last Thursday.

The three-year-old filly broke stride just as the gates opened in the 2040 metre contest, despite starting as the $1.95 favourite.

Chapple and Captain Jazz eventually tacked onto the field, but as they approached the home bend, they were buried away on the fence.

The former New South Wales-based driver took the Smith-prepared filly around the field to deliver a stunning win, which left leading broadcaster Chris Barsby in disbelief.

“Captain Jazz is absolutely storming home,” the top caller said.

“Goodness gracious me, what a performance. Wow – you didn’t want to be on at any stage in the race.

“She just powered home to beat her rivals. That was some sort of victory there.

“She has some ability, but she has her issues, as well. That was ultra impressive because you don’t see horses do that, in particular here at Redcliffe.”

The barnstorming win was Captain Jazz’s fifth in 12 attempts and her second at the venue after recently joining the Smith camp.

In the days following the win, the newcomer to the Sunshine State was still shaking his head about the result.

“It was unbelievable really, I still can’t believe it to be honest,” Chapple said.

“I thought it would be pretty straight forward and we would just roll off the gate.

“She had a bee in her bonnet early on. 

"Obviously, it got a bit bumpy at the start and when I was three and four back on the fence, I was in a world of pain.

“They walked in the race and I was just lucky that I got there just in time, really. At the halfway point of the race, to be honest with you, I thought I was no hope of winning.

“She made my horrible ordeal a lot better, she did all the work, not me. I haven't been part of a horse that could do that, for sure. She just blew me away completely.”

Chapple has swapped driving at tracks such as Newcastle, Tamworth and Menangle for Queensland after recently taking on a job with the Smith barn.

Chapple and his father Guy have campaigned horses north over the years and have always had a close association with Smith and fellow local conditioner Greg Franklin.

The driver has not been as prominent at the races over the last few years, only collecting two winners since the 2024 term.

So, he thought a change would do him wonders.

“I come up here probably 12 months ago for the winter carnival with a horse that I own myself and they're such good people,” he said.

“When I was leaving, they said, ‘Feel free to stay and you can work for us.'

“I had a full-time job as a trades assistant at a boiler making job down there at that point, but I have the bug back for driving again.

“Donny’s always at me to come up here and give it a crack. I got to a point where I felt like I needed a change, I made the move.

“So, I'll give it a crack and probably couldn't find a better camp to be associated with really. I am really pleased I came up.”

Following Thursday’s romp, Chapple was quickly back to Smith’s place where they pored over the replay of the result, with the 65-year-old mentor chuffed with the triumph.

The Chapple surname has been prominent in Queensland form guides in recent years with Mitch’s cousin Jack driving more than 90 winners in each of the last two campaigns.

Mitch Chapple is back at the races on Tuesday afternoon at Albion Park as he partners Maybe Janis for Smith in the opening event of the card.

“Donny's got some really nice horses and hopefully that trend does keep going my way,” the driver said.

“I'm happy with anything I get really.”