Sport
14 October, 2026
La Chapparon finally breaks through
It was a day of firsts with the new season at Orange opening and La Chapparon winning.
Raced at Orange; Thursday, October 8.
After the traditional winter recess, the new season at Orange kicked-off with a good crowd and a win for the locally owned and trained La Chaparron in the opening race.
Trained by Alison Smith and owned by the Orange club president Craig Buckley in partnership with family and friends, La Chapparon a noted strong finisher from back in the field had been placed several times but still winless after 18 starts before the 1400 metres Tamburlaine Organic Wine-Country Boosted Maiden Handicap.
With the talented apprentice Deon Le Roux in the saddle, La Chaparron ($4.60 to $3.80) came from midfield to reel in the leading pair and arrive in the last stride to win by a head from the favourite Inspiritu (Louise Day, $2.50) with Nutbush Dancer (Amy McLucas, $5.50) a length away third.
In a thrilling finish to the 1600 metres Orange Motor Group Benchmark 66 Handicap, the Claire Lever, Hawkesbury trained Yes Siree (Winona Costin, $3.10 to $2.80 favourite) in the centre of a line of three, won by a half-head from the fast-finishing Naval Officer (Mathew Cahill, $5.50) on the outside while there was a short half-head to Tavijewel (Izzy Neale, $18) on the rails which fought on gamely after leading.
Barry Wall trains the third placegetter Tavijewel and another of his small team at Cowra, Rule Of Faith, later won the 1300 metres Inland Digital Class One Handicap.
Having the second start for Barry Wall after previously racing from Hawkesbury stables, Rule Of Faith (Izzy Neale, $10) led throughout to beat Swift Gun (Jacob Stiff, $9) and Bushwalker (Deon Le Roux, $21).
Leading apprentice Jacob Stiff and Dubbo trainer Michael Mulholland combined with Vicious Rumour ($6) which raced past the favourite Patrika Express (Coriah Keatings, $1.40 to $1.30) in the straight to win by over a length with Can Do It (Nick Heywood, $16) back from a spell, running home well for third in the 1000 metres ShedBoss Central west-Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.
The success rate of high profile Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker at central districts tracks continued with a winning double at Orange, Macaroon ($2.70 favourite) and Kennedy Compound ($8).
Both were ridden by apprentice Amber Riddell formerly the champion apprentice in New Zealand and the daughter of leading New Zealand jockey Jonathon Riddell.
