“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.”
