Trip Away Not Out Of Question For Topping
- Saturday, 10 September 2011 04:15
Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan will keep all options open for Topping following the entire's narrow victory at Doomben.
Topping, aided by a rails run from jockey Jim Byrne, edged out Rockdale by a neck in Saturday's Ormiston College Old Collegian Handicap (1615m).
They Won't Last filled the minor placing a further 1-1/2 lengths away.
Nolan blamed a lack of suitable programming for being forced to back-up Topping after the five-year-old was runner-up to Racing Heart over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm seven days ago.
"Last week he was second-up from a spell and was a little flat," Nolan said.
"He's a good horse and I wouldn't rule out taking him away.
"But for the moment he'll stay here and we'll see what is available for him.
"We beat the Sydney horse (Russian Jar) who ran fourth fairly convincingly so it shows our form here isn't that bad."
Topping went from winning a Class 3 race to finishing second in the Listed Toowoomba Cup on his home track in March during his last campaign.
Nolan praised Byrne who never panicked in the early stages when Sommersea Drive set up a solid tempo in front.
"It's good to have jockeys like Jim Byrne and Chris Munce on your horses," Nolan said.
"You don't have to tell those sort of jockeys how to ride them."
Topping has proved to be a great money-spinner for connections who paid only $2000 for the son of Top Echelon as a yearling at the QBBS sales in Brisbane.
His victory was his sixth win from 25 starts and took his prizemoney to more than $148,000.
Russian Jar proved a major disappointment in finishing fourth after playing up in the enclosure and on his way to the barriers.
Trainer Chris Waller sent Russian Jar and stablemate Our Cannavaro to run at Doomben on Saturday but had no joy with his first runner.
Waller, who won his first Sydney trainers' premiership last season, has a stable of 100 in work most times of the year and plans to have a bigger involvement with his team in centres outside Sydney.
