Maitland reinsman Guy Chapple hopes history can repeat - 20 years on - in the Ladyship Mile when he drives long-shot Takara Truffle in the group 1 race for mares on Saturday night at Menangle Park.
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Chapple will steer Takara Truffle for Singleton trainer Aaron Goadsby from gate six in the $200,000 race on a bumper program featuring two group 1 qualifiers for the Miracle Mile and the NSW Oaks.
Takara Truffle sneaked into the Ladyship Mile with fifth in the group 2 Robin Dundee Stakes last week, which came courtesy of a smart drive from Chapple.
He found three back the pegs at the start from gate three then inside runs down the home straight to give Takara Truffle every chance to qualify.
Up against stars like Our Princess Tiffany and Belle Of Montana, the six-year-old is not expected to challenge on Saturday night, but Chapple is hoping for a top-five finish.
He steered the Frank Norris-trained Jeb's Melody to fifth in the 2000 Ladyship Mile at Harold Park. They followed that with victory in the Bohemia Crystal FFA.
"It would be nice if we could do the same," Chapple said. "She's probably outclassed but the favourite beat us two lengths last week, so you never know what can happen. She deserves to be in it anyway."
Chapple was eyeing a repeat of the Robin Dundee Stakes run to maximise Takara Truffle's chances.
"I've had a bit of a look and I think I can probably lob in the same spot, three fence," he said.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Paceway raced with eight horses off the front line on Friday night after the new mobile barrier hit the outside fence on the back straight at Monday's meeting.
Newcastle started using a new four-wheel drive vehicle this month and it increased the width of the 10-horse barrier by about a metre.
The outside arm struck the fence before the beginning of race three on Monday without a false start declared.
Harness Racing NSW ordered that the track would race with eight off the front and two off the second line while the incident was under review. Accordingly, the mobile arms have been shortened by two gates.