By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
More owners and trainers are starting to realise the driving talents of Lockrose horsewoman, Jordan Topping.
The 20-year-old has been notching up winners left-right-and-centre at ‘The Triangle’ this season – so much so the Burleigh Heads-native is now experiencing her best season in the sulky.
Topping drove her 31st winner for the season in race six at Redcliffe Paceway on Thursday afternoon (October 12). With still 78 days remaining in the season that tally is a personal best by three wins.
Win 31 and 71st ($385,312) since her debut season in 2019-2020, came via the Dan Russell trained For No Reason in the Stevie Redback Pest Control NR40-45 Pace.
The 1.9 metre triumph as the $9.50 fifth favourite from gate nine also brought up a $150,000 in stake earnings for Topping in 2023. Last year she netted $144,056 in purses. In 2021 she won eight races ($44,056) and in her break-out season Topping saluted the judge four times ($18,788).
The Monica Betts-owned, For No Reason, has now won 11 of her 87 starts and placed in 16 others for $52,994
“I just think I’m driving a better quality of horse to when I started, and I think a few more people realise who I am now. Dan (Russell) has been absolutely brilliant since day one. He’s believed in my driving and most of my wins have come in his colours.
“I’ve also driven a few winners for Ryan (Veivers) as well. He is another trainer who has noticed that I can drive a bit and has supported me a lot. My parents too of course. They have been so supportive of everything I do,” Topping said.
“Ever since I started out at Ryan’s I’ve been lucky to be put on Glenledi Commander week-in-week-out. I’ve now won 11 races on him. I’m so grateful to Ryan for this drive,” she added.
In fact, Topping has been employed by Veivers at Harrisville in the Scenic Rim Region since February last year.
It was while Topping was a student Faith Lutheran College, Plainland, she met and then worked for Lake Clarendon trainer, Dan Russell. She started off working weekends and school holidays before joining him full-time when she finished her Year 12 studies.
However, unlike a lot of the claimers currently going around the three Queensland tracks, Topping never raced ponies. In fact, she never really got serious about the sport until she was 16.
“When I was 15 I met Dan. He was shoeing my former pacer (Over The Horizon). We got talking and before long I was doing track-work for him.
Topping has had some big influences in her life and none more so than her late grandfather David Rodger Senior, and Junior. Her father, Shane a greyhound trainer never held a trainers’ licence but did work for Glen Dawson, John McMullen, Ken Belford, and Nev Doyle.
Topping herself loves greyhound racing and owns a bitch named Wild As Her. She is scheduled to start in about a month.
Photography is also a passion, and Topping can sometimes be seen taking photos for Redcliffe Paceway. Topping’s next Redcliffe drives will be on Monday night (October 16) in race four (7.08pm) behind the Dan Russell trained Friday Thirteenth (3); and on Wednesday night (October 18) in race three (6.23pm) behind the Ryan Veivers trained Glenledi Commander.
That 6-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding provided Topping with her first Metropolitan win in the first race at Albion Park on August 13 last year.
“I’m thankful for all the outside opportunities I get. Outside drives don’t always happen.” Topping said.
She said she enjoyed driving at ‘The Triangle’.
“I enjoy it a lot. I’ve got the track worked out now. I know it well. Most of my wins have been there. I feel at home there,” she added.
Here’s a 2020 story I wrote on a then 17-year-old Topping:
https://duanerangerharnessracing.com/those-first-two-wins-were-for-you-pop-jordan-topping/
