Chapple one happy Chappy

Trainer Mitch Chapple. Photo by Amanda Rando.

The Mitch Chapple-trained three-year-old Chappy Streetnorth has had a disruptive racing career since first hitting the track midway through last year.

The gelding had massive wraps on him as a two-year-old but a combination of poor manners and minor injuries have stood in the way of him reaching the potential that he had shown in those early days.

Despite all his frustrations, Chapple has remained positive that Chappy Street North can develop into a metropolitan class pacer and after breaking the 2030 metre track record for three-year-olds at Newcastle last Friday night, believes that his stable star is back on track to reach those lofty expectations.

Tonight at Newcastle, Chappy Steetnorth will contest a qualifying heat in the regional series of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge and Mitch is confident of a forward showing from him.

"He has been a frustrating horse that is for sure," said Chapple. 

"Touch wood he now seems to be putting it all together as over the past eight weeks he has performed consistently and should that continue tonight I feel he can go close to winning.”

Chappy Street North resumed from a freshen up at Newcastle on October 7 and has scored twice since then on his local track.

He ran third in a heat of the Breeders Challenge on October 14 and his only failure was two starts back when he had a hard run before finishing seventh.

The Breeders Challenge heat tonight has attracted a classy line up and from barrier five, Chappy Street North will need to be at his best if he is to win.

In a tight betting market, the Clayton Harmey trained Saint Crusader is slightly favoured to take out the race and after drawing perfectly in gate two holds all the aces.

One For Rodi has won four of his seven race starts and is on the second tier of betting.

"Despite there appearing to be a lot of speed in the race I will be attempting to work forward over the short trip as that is the way my bloke races best.”

Seven runners will contest the Fillies heat of the Breeders Challenge with the Adam Ruggari trained Te Quiro favoured to win.

She won a heat in the series back on October 14 and since then has been placed twice.