‘Getting sour’: Jones goes back to the bush to find his spark again

After two tough seasons following his apprenticeship, Reece Jones says he was getting “sour” in the ultra-competitive Sydney jockey ranks.

A step back this season to take in more country racing has meant extra time on the road, but also winning rides and a reinvigorated approach.

Reece Jones after winning on Mortal Halo at Rosehill on December 7.Credit: Getty Images

Jones, who hopes Mortal Halo can add to his recent success on Saturday at Randwick, has racked up 29.5 winners in four and a half months this season in NSW, compared to 40 and 48 in total for the past two campaigns.

Before that, Jones had 80 (2022-23), 104 (2021-20) and 102.5 (2020-19) winners across the state as an in-demand apprentice. That run included hauls of 31 (2022-23) and 38 (2021-20) in town.

Without a claim, Jones has struggled to secure strong support in Sydney, although the lightweight rider did score a maiden group 1 with Chris Waller-trained Land Legend at 51kg in last year’s Metropolitan.

Opportunities, in both track-work at Randwick and in city races, dried up, prompting Jones, who learned under Scone trainer Rod Northam, to go back to where it all began for him.

“When things weren’t going well we had the idea to go back to the country, build some confidence and get some winners under me and it’s helped because I was just kind of getting sour,” said Jones, who also moved to the Central Coast just over a year ago and changed managers to Hayden Kelly.

“It was disheartening just going around on big odds every week, every day. It was just frustrating.

“It’s ultra-competitive [in Sydney]. There are so many quality riders, and it is tough, especially when you are probably at the bottom of the ladder, to get some good rides and stamp yourself and just remind people, ‘hey, you can still ride, you are still here’.

“I’ve got a bit more enjoyment out of it, and I’ve got that competitiveness, especially on rides that might not be chances. You’ve just got that flair back and just enjoying it more. Not just stuck in a rut and going through the motions.

“I’ve definitely been busy, I can tell by the kilometres going up on the odometer, but I guess it’s helped being more consistent, riding a bit more.”

As well as the 19.5 country winners, Jones has also had his biggest prizemoney win when taking Vivy Air to victory with a rails run in the $2 million Five Diamonds last month for Ciaron Maher. He believed the change in strategy and the pick-up ride went hand in hand.

“It’s definitely gone that way already,” he said.

“Just in the short span of things, to quickly turn things around and get these opportunities.

“Ciaron wasn’t someone I would normally ride for all that much, but I took that opportunity with both hands and made the most of it, so it was great for me.”

Trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald have been among Jones’ biggest backers and they have again entrusted him with Magic Millions Guineas hopeful Mortal Halo.

Jones has taken the More Than Ready colt to a super maiden win at Scone, then a close second and a win at benchmark 72 1500m level at Rosehill this preparation. He rises to 1600m at Randwick in the same grade on Saturday and was a $3.40 TAB favourite.

“He’s going really well, and I think they have plans of going up to Queensland if he continues to go well,” Jones said.

“I don’t know if I’m going up there for him or not, but they’ve got me on again, barrier one, which are all positives.

Mortal Halo and Reece Jones come down the outside to win at Rosehill on December 7.Credit: Getty Images

“He’s got a good attitude and applies himself well. He’s doing things right, so there’s no reason why he can’t keep gaining confidence and rise to that next level.”

He also partners Hellsing ($17) in the eighth for the Archibalds, who he rides regular work for, along with several Wyong trainers.

“In terms of Sydney trainers, they are probably my leading support team,” he said.

“They’ve been good and I’ve been doing a bit of riding for them here and there. They were giving me good support back in Scone and I got a couple of winners for them, and it’s blossomed from there.”

Of his other rides, Jones likes the chances of Scone mare Dollar Magic in the seventh, a 1100m benchmark 94.

The Scott Singleton-trained campaigner, a 14-time runner-up in 32 starts, was third first-up behind Hawker Hall and Crepe Myrtle for Jones at Rosehill.

“I like Dollar Magic, she’s down in the weights,” he said of the $10 shot.

“She wouldn’t have carried that kind of weight, down to 52, in a long time. She’s always pretty consistent.”

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