Everything’s apples in young couple’s stable move

Talented young harness racing couple Conor Crook and Jordan Chibnall have wasted no time getting back into the winners’ circle since relocating to Tasmania.

Having been based in the Apple Isle previously for a number of years, they chanced their arm with a move across the Bass Strait to Victoria in mid-2022.

“While we enjoyed it, the prize money situation was probably the main thing playing on our minds. And we found Tassie to have a much easier lifestyle,” Jordan said.

“We are really lucky to be training out of Rohan Hillier’s place at Beauty Point, which is near the beach. It can get cool, but I’m not complaining because I grew up in Kilmore!” she laughed.

Seven-year-old gelding Tashs Mate (Courage Under Fire) provided the pair with a perfect “welcome back” result with a nice win in the $8000 Tasmanian Horse Transport event at Hobart on August 30.

“He was our first starter, and I was excited to drive him and get that win on the board –he’s had two third placings and a fourth since then,” Chibnall said.

Tashs Mate, bred by well-known NSW Riverina-based horseman Bruce Harpley and now owned by Crook, has won nine races with 16 placings for earnings of over $50,000.

Chibnall was back at Hobart a little over a week later and scored one of her biggest wins with a classy performer Magnetic Terror (Terror To Love) in the $20,000 Metropolitan Cup.

The pacer, raced by arguably Australia’s biggest owner Mick Boots, was a consistent city competitor for the strong Andy and Kate Gath stable, winning three races at Melton.

Magnetic Terror has gone on with placings in two of his next three outings, and is certainly going to be a big player in feature fast-class events in his new home.

“He’s doing a really good job and went past the $100,000 mark when he finished runner-up in a $12,000 discretionary race at Launceston about three weeks ago,” Chibnall said.

The stable also recorded a double at Launceston with owner Boots’ High Flying Harry (Bettors Delight), handled by Rohan Hillier, and Glenledi Elvis (A Rocknroll Dance) getting the job done for concession reinsman Jacob Duggan.

All in all, it’s been six wins in the space of five weeks, validating the couple’s decision to make the move.

Despite the three-hour road trip, needless-to-say 22-year-old Chibnall has a new favorite track in Hobart, recording two victories there aboard Onehandonebounce (A Rocknroll Dance), including her milestone 150^th win on September 27.

Although he’s a former leading driver in Tasmania, Crook has been content to take a back seat with the stable driving, leaving most of that to Chibnall.

“Conor’s been giving me a good go with the driving part, which I’ve appreciated and enjoyed, but I think he’ll start up driving again as a few more clubs start racing in the summer,” Chibnall said.

“We’re pretty well based being 40 minutes from Launceston, although it’s further to Hobart. Burnie begins again soon and that’s probably one and a half hours away, and there will also be Scottsdale and St Mary’s on the grass track.

“We’ve been spending time riding our horses along the beach and in the water. They absolutely love it. There’s eight horses in our stable at the moment, but we certainly have room for more.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink