First training win secured as Chibnall eyes driving return

Harness racing driver Jordan Chibnall recorded her first win as a trainer in Hobart on Friday night.

Chibnall, 23, prepared Sinister ($6.50) to victory at her tenth starter in the Lather Up at Woodlands Stud Pace (1609m).

Driving responsibilities were given to five-point concession claim driver Malcom Jones, who positioned the seven-year-old gelding behind the leader, before working one off at the top of the home straight, to score by a head, after putting up a great battle in the home straight with Nikita Jo ($15) who finished second, with Jeremy Wells ($4.40 eq. fav) 2.3m away third in 1:59.3s.

“It was super, it feels really good to get my first training win,” said Chibnall.

“He sort of looked like he wasn’t too keen to win, but he stuck his big head out to win.

“It was a great drive by Mal, and I’m glad he was driving it too.”

It was the twelfth career win for the well-travelled Heston Blue Chip gelding, who Chibnall has had in her care since October.

“He will just keep poking around. He stepped really well at Scottsdale last week, so those sorts of tracks are options.

Chibnall is aiming at a return to the sulky later this month, after being injured in a race fall on 4 January.

“If it were my choice, I would be back next week, but it’s probably more likely I’ll be back on Devonport Cup night (in Launceston on 31 January).

Despite her first win, Chibnall said all the talk in the car trip home was about her partner Conor Crook driving his first winner since September.

Crook, who focuses on training these days, returned to the sulky for five drives at the Hobart meeting in Chibnall’s absence, winning aboard Luvatinny ($6.50), who was second-up in the state, having won one of five starts on the mainland last season.

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by Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing