Zac Chappenden’s outrageous start to life here in Victoria continued with metropolitan success at Tabcorp Park on Saturday night.
The Queensland-born youngster scored his fourth win at drive four in his new home state when Sea Silk led all the way in The Big Screen Company 3YO Pace.
Chappenden, who made the move to take up employment with Sea Silk’s trainer Emma Stewart last month, now has a Melton victory and a Victorian country cup feature on his resume.
“It’s been unreal, it’s just been surreal,” Chappenden told TrotsVision.
“The thrills of it all – it’s just so good. It pays off with the hard work.”
Chappenden has ventured south with his girlfriend and trainer Amy Cargill, with the pair working at Stewart’s stables in Cardigan, just outside of Ballarat.
“It’s hard work, but we love it here and the weather’s been good to us so that’s even better,” he said.
The 20-year-old’s first Victorian winner came behind the Cargill-trained Hit The Track at Ballarat on February 24 before he took out the Horsham Pacing Cup with Stewart-prepared Like A Wildfire two days later.
Hit The Track won again at Ballarat on Thursday and then Sea Silk made it four-on-the-trot.
“We thought she was a good chance this week, her work has been real good. If we could find the front and get it pretty easy, I thought she was a real good shot,” Chappenden said.
“I got a bit worried at the top of the straight. She just got a bit lost out in front, but when she heard them coming she just got going again.”
Chappenden blotted his copybook for the first time in Victoria when Stewart’s Polly Put Kettleon finished fourth behind stablemate Imperials Reason in the Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety Castlemaine Pace lateron Saturday night’s Melton card.
Julie Douglas-trained filly Remi Lou claimed the $24,000 Hygain Premiere Stakes for the two-year-olds, with the night’s other feature going to eight-year-old marvel Bulletproof Boy, who won his 34th career race in the Betavet Markovina Free For All for trainer-driver Scott Ewen.
The opening leg of Douglas’ double was Courageous Saint’s victory in the opening event of the night – his first start since returning to the stable from Queensland.
Tim O’Connor
