FOR Jordan Leedham, nothing beats the competitive spirit of harness racing and the thrill of a win.
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The promising young reinsman is earning plenty of chances to experience those highs following a solid first few months as a concession driver.
Leedham, who works for the young training combination of Kate Hargreaves and Alex Ashwood at their Shelbourne stable, has confidently and relatively swiftly notched up six career wins.
Those half-a-dozen successes have been all the assurance the humble 17-year-old has needed to know that a career in harness racing is what he wants.
While he's certainly not complaining, he admits it's not what he envisaged as a child growing up in Launceston.
Leedham said there was little family involvement in racing in his past.
"Mum worked with a couple of butchers, who were hobby trainers, and they had a couple of horses in work, so mum had a couple of shares in them," he said.
"They weren't stars, but they paid their way.
"Other than that the family didn't have anything to do with horses."
It was not until the family's move to the mainland - more specifically, Ballarat - when Leedham was 11, that his interest would be fully piqued.
"I met a couple of young fellows, Brock Gibson and Connor Clarke, and from there I started pony trots," he said.
"Eventually, I got up to driving fast work for Keith and Jenny Douglas, and from there I helped Kate and Andy Gath, Matty Craven and Michael Stanley, and ever since then I've been here (at Shelbourne).
"They were all good people to work for. They all gave me some fast-work drives and taught me a few things."
Leedham experienced his share of success in the ultra-competitive Victorian pony trots.
He won a Great Southern Star with the cutely named Foxy Loxy, while his other pony Barney won Cups at Charlton and Hamilton.
After deciding to ditch school - a decision he said took 'months of convincing' for his parents - Leedham eventually lobbed at Shelbourne in the back-half of 2019.
Within three months he had secured his trial licence.
After obtaining his B-grade driver's licence six months later, Leedham was ready to roll.
His first official drive was aboard the then Hargreaves-trained filly Naamark, who finished seventh at Bendigo's Lord's Raceway on May 21.
"I saw plenty of horses in front of me," he said with a chuckle.
"It wasn't the best steer, but what can you ask with your first drive?
"It was a great experience, just getting out there. It's a lot different to trials - a lot more competitive."
It would take just over 20 more drives for him to break through for his maiden win at Bendigo, but not before a few apprehensive moments.
"After my first few drives I thought my first win was never going to come," Leedham said.
"Eventually it ended up coming with Shaq in early August at Bendigo.
"My heart dropped up the straight when we straightened and he started going a bit rough when I was in front, but after he got going again, it was a good feeling to cross the line first.
"I might have had one drive on him beforehand - he's the not the easiest horse to drive - he keeps you on your toes.
"But when he does everything right, he's a nice little horse and a bit of a favourite.
"I've got two wins on him and two on Hancocks Hero for the Tormeys - they've really looked after me."
An equally as big thrill was to follow a week later when he steered home his first winner for his bosses aboard Jilliby Roy in a tight finish at Lord's Raceway on August 12.
"It took a little bit of a while to drive a winner for Kate, but I was glad it finally happened," he said.
"It was good to repay the faith and trust.
"It's always good to get the first one out of the way. After that things just seem to fall in place a bit."
Leedham is delighted to have found his home away from home in Bendigo and could not speak more genuinely of the profound impact Hargreaves and Ashwood have had on his on life.
"They are easy people to talk to and are helping with me my driving and everything else," he said.
"I'm very appreciative, I really can't thank them enough for what they have done for me.
"A few more winners coming there way might be a good way to repay them."
Hargreaves, in return, could not be more complimentary of 'young Jordy', who has developed into all of a diligent employee, accomplished young reinsman and an integral part of the team.
"Jordy is a great kid. He is an extremely hard worker, but also very laid-back," she said.
"He is a big part of our team.
"Whenever I see him being successful on the track, whether it's on one of my horses or someone else's, I get very proud of him.
"He was a pretty shy kid when he first came to us - even now he doesn't say a lot. He's a man of few words.
"I think he has a bright future. He definitely has the right attitude for it. He listens and he always does what you ask.
"I couldn't be happier for him. He's doing really well."
Harness racing has not been Leedham's only sporting pursuit since his arrival in Bendigo.
The teenager, who formerly played under-age football with Ballarat Swans, played a handful of games for Newbridge in the under-18 competition before it was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.
"It's something that takes my mind off the horses for a bit and gets me away from the racing lifestyle for a while," he said.
"It's more fun than anything.
"Newbridge is a good club; great people to mix with and they certainly let us know what was going on with the COVID situation."
Now entrenched at Shelbourne and within the racing industry and having eagerly put in the initial hard yards, Leedham says he's committed for the long haul.
He is as anxious as ever to repay the belief in him from Hargreaves and Ashwood and others like the Tormeys, who have put him on their horses, and make every moment count.
"I don't really want to do anything else - this is what I want to do," Leedham said.
"Especially when you are driving winners, it keeps you wanting to push on.
"I don't reckon I'll be going anywhere else soon."
Jordy is a great kid. He is an extremely hard worker, but also very laid-back. He is a big part of our team.
- Kate Hargreaves
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