Maiden win brings youngster step closer to dream

YOUNG reinsman Jordan Leedham took another step towards achieving harness racing’s ultimate goal with his success at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Partnering Boy From Bondi to a soft win, Leedham registered his initial metropolitan victory 11 months after his first driving triumph in Bendigo.

While basking in the glory of his maiden win at the provincial circuit Leedham mentioned his dream of holding aloft a trophy his great uncle, Stan Leedham, took possession of during the 1960s.

Stan was the proud owner of top pacer Chamfer Star which captured the 1966 Perth Inter Dominion.

Trained by Max Treuer and driven by Brian Forrester, Chamfer Star won his three heats and the Final to remain unbeaten throughout the series.

“My great uncle owned Chamfer Star but that was before I was even thought of,” Leedham said. “It was even before my dad was an itch in his dad’s pants.

“After we moved from Tasmania because of Dad’s work I became friends with Connor Clarke and Brock Gibson and that got me interested in pony trots.

“Ever since I started with horses it’s all I have wanted to do.

“I’d love to forge a career out of driving and maybe one day also hold the Inter Dominion winner’s trophy.”

After settling Boy From Bondi behind the leader Ozzie Battler, Leedham angled the son of Somebeachsomewhere away from the pegs before he sprinted to a five-and-a-half metre win from Crime Writer.

Live On Broadway was three metres away third.

Boy From Bondi rated a slick 1:51.9 over 1720 metres to take his record to six wins and two placings from 11 starts since joining Wayne Potter’s stable this season.

“I’m over the moon to get my first metro win,” Leedham said. “It adds a little extra to the win being a metro race on a Saturday night.

“I was sort of worried about getting crossed at the start, but when held up behind the leader and was travelling strongly at the 400, I was still confident.”