Husband and wife team Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin have formed a formidable trainer-driver partnership

Husband and wife duo Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin have formed a trainer-driver partnership that shapes as a cornerstone of the Queensland harness racing industry for decades to come.

Harness racing Driver Pete McMullen and his partner Chantal Turpin with daughter Riley (9 1/2 mths) at Albion Park.

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RYLEE McMullen got her first horse before her first tooth.

It is a fair pointer to the life that awaits her.

The nine-month-old is the daughter of husband and wife duo Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin, who have formed a trainer-driver partnership that shapes as a cornerstone of the Queensland harness racing industry for decades to come.

Rylee’s first tooth came through only a few days ago, months after she was given her first horse, a shetland pony, by her aunt Narissa, now a Sydney-based trainer-driver.

“Rylee loves horses already. If anything she is a bit too game,’’ said Chantal, whose younger brother Jake plays hooker in the under-20s for Melbourne Storm.

The Turpin and McMullen families are steeped in harness racing tradition. Pete is the son of John and the grandson of “Hollywood John’’ McMullen, a pioneer of sending Australian horses to America.

“I have been lucky in that my family have played a massive role for us, particularly my dad, because if it wasn’t for him I would not be where I am now given all the opportunities he gave me,’’ Pete said.

Pete, who first dated Chantal when both were 16, is a man of contrasting styles.

Away from the racetrack he speaks quietly and goes about his work with a minimum of fuss.

In the gig he is renowned for his debonair style.

“We have to make sure they are fit when Pete drives them because he likes to drive them hard,’’ Chantal said.

Pete, 24, the youngest Australian to drive 1000 winners, senses the two sides of him occasionally colliding when he is doing his race plans.

Sometimes his quiet nature will hatch a subdued game plan but once he steps on the track the lamb becomes a lion and it is hastily revised.

Pete has driven 113 winners this season while Chantal has trained 82.

Chantal does not drive as much as she used to but still relishes steering her stable pet Compton Street, who has won 17 races and $150,000 since coming from New Zealand as a $30,000 purchase.

The couple have built their operation outside Fernvale from the ground up, buying the property three years ago before Pete and a few helpers went to work erecting stables and a track.

“It is long hours and hard work but you get rewarded for it,’’ Chantal said.

“We work together. It is a team effort.’’

â–  LAST start Albion Park winner Buy Chevron Direct is set to head to Sydney in the coming weeks and join the stables of Narissa McMullen.

The Turpin/McMullen-prepared pacer scored a dominant victory on Saturday night in good time.

His shout

OPERA singer Rosari La Spina has much to crow about with his family’s new star Maestro Bellini.

Winner of the Paleface Adios Classic at his first start, Maestro Bellini lines up at Bathurst in a heat of the Gold Crown series tomorrow night.

The La Spina family also race San Domino, who will start from gate six in the third heat.

On the move

LEADING horseman Peter Greig will move from Albion Park premises to the Logan Village area.

Greig has been based at Albion Park for many years after taking over stalls from Graeme Bowyer but the major road upgrade has forced the change.

Work of art

IN-FORM open class performer Ultimate Art will be aimed at the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival in July after his stunning form in recent weeks.

Sent north to Shannon Price by previous trainer Mick Formosa, the Modern Art entire has reignited his career in the warmer climate and looked sharp after breezing last week in solid time. The main aim will be the $200,000 Blacks A Fake.

Ideal option

FORMER QPC winner Ideal Scott is close to a racetrack return for his new trainer Ian Gurney (of Avonnova fame) after two recent trials at Albion Park.

Injuries and setbacks have severely curtailed his racing in recent years.

Originally published as Husband and wife team Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin have formed a formidable trainer-driver partnership