Sweet Embrace After Emotional G1 Breakthrough

TRAINER Craig Chappelow couldn't believe he kept his emotions in check directly after Embrace stormed away for victory in Saturday night's Group 1 Ladbrokes Peter Mosman Opal Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

But it didn't last long, with the scene of his beaming four-year-old daughter Roxie charging down the home straight sparking a flood of emotions.

"I lost it when I saw Roxie," Chappelow said.

"I was okay directly after the race but it all began to sink in very quickly then. When I got back to the catching pen Dad (Ken) and I shared a quiet moment out the back and more tears were shed before we went out to the presentation.

"Just a special night. Very humbling."

There were tears of joy from the Chappelows as Embrace raced away to win the G1 @ladbrokescomau Peter Mosman Opal… with the whole family there to watch!

Mark Duclos caught up with Clan Chappelow after the win – and they're off to Disneyland!#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/ycXrn2FwcJ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 9, 2022

Chappelow, from a family that has generations of greyhound racing in its blood, went into Saturday night's Peter Mosman Opal quietly confident from the box eight draw.

And the victory also triggered a sizeable side-bet which will put some of the $75,000 first prize to good use.

"I promised Roxie that if Embrace won the Robert Smith Memorial at The Gardens in March that I would take her to Disneyland," Chappelow said.

"She finished second to French Martini in the final so the promise rolled into last night. As soon as I picked her up last night that's all she was saying … ‘we're going to Disneyland, we're going to Disneyland'."

Set to turn two-years-old in September, Embrace went into Saturday night's group 1 decider as the youngest bitch in the field.

The victory was just her third in a 17-start career but Chappelow had also maintained confidence that the regally bred daughter of Turanza Bale and Twisted Love could hold her own in group race company.

"She broke in really well and because of the ability she showed we've aimed pretty high with her right from the start," Chappelow said.

"If you go through her form there's probably only one or two starts she's had that haven't been in feature races. It's all been about building her confidence.

“Because she likes to get off the track a bit the eight was always going to suit her last night. Especially if there was a bit of trouble in the middle which is how it played out."

Embrace landed the group 1 feature by three-lengths over Lightnin' Ethics in 29.88 with another four-lengths to Spring Elegance in third.

The win proved hugely popular with Chappelow universally considered one of the sport's true gentleman.

"I've spent all morning responding to the messages and well wishes," Chappelow said.

"It's meant a lot so many people reaching out. I haven't had to get out the group race calendar for a while but after last night I have been looking to see what races are coming up for her.

“Races like the SA Oaks and Queensland Futurity are coming up so we'll have a look at them if she's going well."

Back in 2005, Chappelow enjoyed a fantastic ride with his former top class race bitch Frosty Fruits, the blueblood going on to prove a successful brood as well, responsible for a number of racetrack stars, including freakish talent Goodesy.

But in recent years the successful line has tempered giving Chappelow rise to diversify his breeding strategy moving forward.

"That's how I got Embrace," Chappelow said.

"I was on the internet one day and saw the Turanza Bale-Twisted Love litter in the recent matings. I sent a message to the owner (Jason Lymbery) saying I'd be interested and it went from there. The last couple of years have been pretty slow and you start questioning everything you do and how you're doing it.

"Hopefully the wheels have turned now and we can have a good run. All the hard work you put in and the slow times are in the hope that things like last night can happen. I must admit, you start wondering if they ever will."

In the short term, Chappelow has some promises to keep, with children Roxie (4), Josh (3) and partner Sam at some point bound for Disneyland.

"I wish we had of had the side-bet on Movie World on the Gold Coast not Disneyland in the states," Chappelow added. "But I think Roxie would see straight through it if we tried that on."