Jones looks to Sampson for career riding boost
Jockey Reese Jones, 45, is relying on Saturday’s win aboard Sampson to give strength to his ailing riding career.
Jones won the Group III Trentham Stakes for his old mate Howie Mathews who trains Sampson at Otaki. Paying $22.30 on the tote, backers would have been celebrating the economical trip Jones gave the hardy stayer.
But celebrations have been few and far between for Jones in recent times with rides hard to come by and winners even scarcer. For a man sitting on 604 career wins, 34 at group and listed level, it could be imagined his services would be well sought.
That’s not the case, Jones’ phone doesn’t ring too often with offers to ride and he admits he’s ‘‘not too good on the phone’’ which has resulted in a slim pickings.
He’s had just 83 rides in the first half of this season – compare that to a peak of 560 a season earlier in his career – and he’s not exactly rushed off his feet.
Jones would love things to turn around and, while admitting he could be more pro-active, he hopes Sampson is a bit of a lucky ride and can help get him a few more bookings.
Mathews paid tribute to Jones for the winning ride and claimed he was the most underrated jockey in New Zealand. ‘‘When I was thinking who I could put on the horse I just thought of old Reesey,’’ Mathews said.
‘‘I’m a funny sort of trainer and like to match horses with jockeys. Reese is riding work and is very fit and riding as light as 54kg if he wants to and he’s great on stayers.
‘‘He won four Rotorua Cups on that horse of Keith Opie’s and I thought ‘he’s going to be hungry’.
‘‘I said to him before he went out ‘just think you’re on that horse’ [Indikator] and he got the job done.’’
The $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup (2200m) on Karaka Million night, January 29, will be his next race and Jones can’t wait.