Moonbi trainer Dean Chapple will be heading to Menangle at the end of the month to contest two $20,000 finals.
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The Sydney trip has come about as a result of stablemates Esspe Supreme and I'm Quite American acquitting themselves well in taking out two $10,000 heats contested at the Tamworth harness meeting last Thursday afternoon.
Chapple engaged reinswoman Lola Weideman to handle the two pacers.
"Lola did a good job and we are always confident when we get her to drive," stated Chapple who is currently on the sidelines due to suspension.
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The wins by the two pacers was also a welcome boost for local owners Mick McIlroy and David Walters who race both horses in partnership.
I'm Quite American picked up the first winners' cheque in taking out the ECO Energy & Solor Solutions Club Menangle Where Horses Fly Heat.
"The horse himself is only a little fella and the odds are against him with [him] being so small, but he has done a good job," added Weideman on returning to scale.
"I know Deans horses are fit and ready to go - I'm just happy to drive a winner for him."
Leading the field for the entire 1609 metre race distance, I'm Quite American held on for a 1.6m win over Our Girl Harlow (Richard Williams) with Glen Innes Boy (Jack Callaghan) a half head away in third place.
Starting as the $2.30 race favourite, I'm Quite American produced a mile rate of two minutes 01.4 seconds.
"I don't care about the mile rate - it doesn't make the cheque any bigger," said Weidemann with a smile.
It was Chapple who suggested the purchase of the American Ideal gelding to local owners McIlroy and Walters.
"I thought the horse would be a good buy - he will do a good job," said Chapple who has only had I'm Quite American for three starts.
"We were worried about leading, as he is a nice sit and sprint horse and he hasn't been out in front too much, that was our unknown," said Chapple.
"He had a good barrier draw so we thought we would have a crack. Lola said he was pulling away at the line.
"He has only missed one cheque since I had him."
I'm Quite American came into the race off a second at Tamworth.
Esspe Supreme had not been on the minds of most punters before returning $11 for the win after commencing from the nine barrier and working his way into the race in the Thrifty Car & Truck Rental Tamworth Club Menangle Country Series.
Weidemann found herself racing three back on the outside running line while Redbank Olivia (Stuart Glasby) led the field.
Electing to race three wide around the final turn, Esspe Supreme came away for a 1.8m win over Tulhurst Cash (David McKenzie) with Caesareal (Blake Hughes) another 1.5m away in third place.
"The (field) opened up a bit down the back and he got going then and did the job well," said Weidemann. "He was on the ball all the time."
Weidemann produced three winning drives at the meeting after Shazam Shannon won the Hygain Micrspeed Pace.
