Young reinswoman Elly Chapple is about to make the most of her gap year after recently acquiring her trainer's licence.
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And at Tamworth Paceway on Thursday afternoon, she will present her first starter as a trainer.
The Moonbi teen received the trainer's licence just prior to completing year 12 this year.
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She aims to "make something of the driving and training" in her gap year before heading to university.
"I had always been interested in gaining my trainer's licence and when I turned 18, I applied for it," she said.
Elly plans to do a degree in early childhood and primary school teaching, and is yet to decide if she will attend the University in Newcastle or Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
Thursday's Stockman Supplies Pace (1609m) has Elly listed as both trainer and driver of her first stable starter, Don't Tell Dorothy.
Her father, Dean, will driver last-start winner Brie in the same race.
Dean previously trained Don't Tell Dorothy.
Elly said: "As soon as the fields came out it was, "who is going to win in the household. I think it will be good, healthy competition around home for a while."
Don't Tell Dorothy is a John Street North-Mitchell Babe gelding.
"He is up in grade and has a nice draw [barrier one]. Based off his last performance, hopefully we can get the same result."
Don't Tell Dorothy has only had a handful of starts for Elly's mother, Julie, including a win in November and a last-start second placing behind It Aint Royal in the Julie Maughan Appreciation Pace at Tamworth.
In the Farrer Security Pace at Tamworth on Thursday, Elly will take the reins behind Apollon - who is trained by Dean - while her father will drive Childers Road in the same race. Dean also trains Childers Road.
On Thursday, Dean will wear the race silks of the NSW Harness Racing Industry Standardbred Re-Homing Company Ltd.
The company, which was launched on December 5, promotes the rehoming of standardbred horses that are no longer "suitable" for racing and breeding.
Dean - who has a full book of drives on Thursday's seven-race program - said: "It is a great concept and an honour to be asked to wear the colours."
Dean drove the Ty Robson-trained Rocknroll Max to victory in Dubbo on Sunday.
