Peter Gelagotis apprentice jockey Tianni Chapman rides first winner at only her third ever race start

An emotional Peter Gelagotis has hailed the workrate, talent and character of apprentice jockey Tianni Chapman, who on Friday at Geelong rode her first winner in only her third ever race.

Chapman, 22, who debuted at Warrnambool on Thursday with mixed success, combined with smart gelding Typhoon Harmony to win a 1112m benchmark 64 handicap.

Runner-up Aerovictory and Ceejay were unlucky in defeat, while the well-supported favourite Perseids was never a factor on the heavy track.

It was a nervous watch for Gelagotis, with Typhoon Harmony behind a wall of horses until midway down the straight when the winning gap appeared.

“She had a mixed emotional day Thursday, rode one good, rode one bad, but to get a win at her third start is bloody terrific for her, a really, really good reward for a beautiful clean kid,” Gelagotis said.

“She’ll be on cloud nine tonight.”

Chapman has been with the Gelagotis brothers Peter and Manny for three years, honing her craft at Caulfield predominantly.

The 22-year-old, who rides work for Mick Price and Michael Kent jr as well as Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, also has RV apprentice coach Darren Gauci in her corner.

Gelagotis was still buzzing about the result an hour after the last race.

“All I said to her was ‘be proud of yourself, be proud of your effort’,” Gelagotis said.

“She had to find her way in the race too, watching her in the straight.

“A slow horse isn’t going to take you through a gap, she’s probably lucky she’s riding quite a decent horse, what impressed me the most was she was trying to do the right thing.

“When she moved out she was very considerate, the run wasn’t there so she looked in, she was thinking about what she was doing, thankfully she had the horse underneath to do the job.”

Chapman is likely to ride at the Gelagotis’ home base Moe next Thursday, with Nudge Bar among the likely entries.

Originally published asHappy Chappy rides first winner at only third ever start

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