"Living The Dream" – Josh Stapleton and The Triple Play Syndicate

Josh Stapleton’s incredible ride with the Goulburn-based ‘Triple Play Syndicate’ reached its crescendo at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night when Captains Knock gave his 11 owners, including Stapleton, their first Inter Dominion Grand Final finalist.

“I can’t believe the success we are having with this fantastic little horse. We are extremely lucky to own him, and we are privileged to have Brad Hewitt in our corner. He has made this happen. They don’t call him ‘Hollywood’ for nothing. We are living the dream,” said Stapleton, who is also a Goulburn Harness Racing Club Committee man.

The Hewitt trained-and-driven Captains Knock won the third Inter Dominion heat from out in front in Saturday night’s (December 7) 2,300m mobile heat. They got the chocolates by 5.4 metres with a slashing 1:52.4-mile rate.

It was the 4-year-old Captain Treacherous stallion's second victory in the Series after winning his Round 1 heat at Newcastle on November 29 with a 1:55.3-mile rate. His third in Round 2 at Bathurst on December 4, meant that Captains Knock finished the series on top of the points table with 43 points; three points clear of Dangerous Dan and Don Hugo – an amazing feat considering he was initially ranked 29th to win the $500,000 Grand Final at Menangle next Saturday (December 14).

"What can you say about this little fella? He just keeps on giving. Regardless of what happens this Saturday night, the 2024 season has already been a huge success for him, with seven wins and more than $260,000 in prize-money - all from just 22 starts,” Goulburn born-and-educated Stapleton said.

"He will deservedly head to the spelling paddock on Sunday before he targets the $1 million (Garrards) Miracle Mile on March 8," he added.

Captains Knock, who is out of the 2005 five-win In The Pocket mare, Scarlett Finn, was a $36,000 purchase from the Sydney APG Yearling Sale in 2021. Since his winning debut as a 2-year-old at Bathurst February 9, 2022, Captains Knock has won 18 of his 41 starts (10 placings) and netted $530,976 in purses.

He also boasts three Group One victories in the APG 2yo Colts and Geldings Final in October 2022, the NSW 2yo Breeders Challenge Final on October 29, 2022, and the NSW 3yo Breeders Challenge Final on October 21, 2023. His CV also includes several other Group and Listed wins, as well as a personal best mile in 1:48.4 winning a $30,000 race at Tabcorp Park, Menangle on October 26, when a hot $1.30 favourite.

Stapleton’s best mate, Hewitt, who he met in his first year at Goulburn High School, started the ‘Triple Play Syndicate’ in 2016 when he imported a pacer named Triple Play from New Zealand after he had four starts for a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth.

Under the name ‘Our Triple Play’ he then went on to be a champion little pacer winning a lot of Country Cups races, including the Group Three 2018 Wagga Cup, and setting a few records along the way,” said Stapleton, who is the GM at the Goulburn-based ARW Multi Group Construction Company.

The 11-strong ‘Triple Play Syndicate’ now comprises Hewitt and his wife Milly; Stapleton; former NRL players, Jarrod Croker (who oversees the finances) and Sam Williams, who have respectively played 307 and 143 games for the Canberra Raiders; Greg Croker (Jarrod’s father); Tim Croker (relation); Blake Hewitt (relative); Al Wicks; Mick Reid; and Steve Jones.

“Brad did all the research getting Triple Play here, and we had a couple of horses with his brothers Sam and Scott before The Syndicate was set up, and then it all snowballed from there”.

“One of the earlier horses we had was Im Jay Tee. He did a job for us winning 11 races, and then when the Syndicate became established, we had Rockin With Elvis, who placed in a couple of Group Ones and a Group Three race, and finished with 14 wins and $214 in stakes,” 34-year-old Stapleton said.

“Others included Listed Classic winner Thatswhatisaid (40 wins and $328,692), Anna Love (12 wins and $159,390), and Escape Artist (22 wins and $49,621). They were the best of a dozen or so we’ve owned,” he added.

He said ‘The Triple Play Syndicate’ this year paid $35,000 for Captain Knock’s Downbytheseaside half-brother at the Nutrien Standardbred Sale in Sydney. From other mares, they also have two 3-year-old fillies - Wazowski and Our Triple Major, and an American Ideal filly that they are preparing for the races.

Captains Knock is the third equal favourite for the 83rd edition of the 2026 Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final, paying $5.50 to win, and $1.90 for the place. The draw for next week’s $500,000, Grand Final, over the 2,300m mobile at Menangle (with winning dividends) is:

Front Line

1 JILLIBY NITRO $9

2 DANGEROUS $4.60

3 DON HUGO $2.60

4 MY MOONLITE DREAM $16

5 CURLY JAMES $12

6 TERRY $61

7 JIMARTEE $101

8 NERANO $26

Second Line

9 CAPTAINS KNOCK $5.50

10 MAX DELIGHT $18

11 MINSTREL $5.50

12 PETES SAID SO $51

13 CANTFINDABETTORMAN $35 (Emergency 1)

14 PERFECT STRIDE $151 (Emergency 2)

Meanwhile, the Brad Hewitt trained and driven THE LOCOMOTIVE, who has drawn nicely at four in the $150,000 Inter Dominion Trotters grand Final over the 2,300m mobile, is the hot $1.55 favourite in that 12-strong line-up. The trotter was the only squaregaiter to go through the three-heat Interdom Series unbeaten.

‘THE TRIPLE PLAY SYNDICATE’ IS ONE OF 10 SLOT HOLDERS

Captains Knock might be heading to the spelling paddock on Sunday, but ‘The Triple Play Syndicate’ has lots to look forward to in Queensland in late February.

The Syndicate is one of 10 slot owners that has been selected to take part in the Ladbrokes Ultimate Drivers Challenge at Albion Park on February 21 and 22.

“I heard about the opportunity to be a part of this never-been-seen before innovation and applied for a lot in the middle of this year. I thought it was a way of both promoting Brad and thanking him for all the work he has done with our horses over the years. We know he’s one of the best drivers in the world and now he’s got a chance to prove himself against the very elite.

“We were delighted when we got the ‘call-up’. The excitement never stops with this Syndicate. We can’t wait to be a part of it all, and we are sure that Brad will shine again,” said Stapleton.

Ten of the world’s best harness racing drivers, including six from Australia, two from New Zealand, and one each from Sweden and Canada, will compete for $250,000 in prize-money. The slot holders stand to win $100,000, and various place-getter money right down to $5,000 for last (10th) place. They can also earn $1,000 for winning each race.

The Ultimate Driver Championship comprises a 20-race series across two feature nights at Albion Park. Slot holders pick both the drivers and horses to compete in each race. Drivers will receive points throughout the 20 races based on finishing position, with the slot holder/driver who accrues the most points declared the winner.

Each slot cost $20,000. Nominations closed on July 31.

“It’s money well spent to highlight someone we really believe in. For me it’s very special. Brad has been my best mate since childhood and both him and his family got me involved in this great sport. I even got my trials licence because of them, and I now am a proud Goulburn Harness Racing Club Committee member,” said Stapleton, who is married to Jessica. They have three daughters – Maggie (7), Penelope (5), and Dulcie (4).

“I’d also like to a pay a tribute to Brad’s father, Dave, who works tirelessly alongside his son to make all of this success happen. He is Brad’s mentor and is a wonderful horseman in his own right. He too is a Group One-winning trainer,” he added.

The Ladbrokes Ultimate Drivers Challenge TAB fixed odds market (with nationality and slot holders) to be staged at Albion Park on February 21 and 22 are:

Dexter Dunn (New Zealand - Ladbrokes) $4.80

Gary Hall Jr (Australia – The Gloucester Park Gurus) $6

Nathan Dawson (Australia – The First Over Crush Syndicate) $6

Pete McMullen (Australia - The Unharnessed Hawks Syndicate) $6

Kate Gath (Australia – The Gath Racing Group Supporting Team Teal Syndicate) $9

Yannick Gingras (Canada – The ABR/Summit Bloodstock, Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi Syndicate) $7

BRAD HEWITT (Australia – THE TRIPLE PLAY SYNDICATE) $9

Angus Garrard (Australia – The Sen, Garrards, and 1Equine Syndicate) $12

Bjorn Goop (Sweden – The Tumby Park syndicate) $12

Carter Dalgety (New Zealand – The N40 Racing and The Boys Get Paid Syndicate) $15