AN outstanding performance from apprentice jockey Reece Jones has seen Disgraceful claim victory in the Liverpool Plains Open Handicap in Quirindi on Tuesday.
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The Muswellbrook trained horse was too strong at the finish, powering down the straight to win by half a length from Dremnomore and Velaro.
Jones said he enjoyed the ride.
“It was a pretty good finish,” Jones said.
“The response down the straight was good and sure enough we got home, which is always pleasing.”
The apprentice jockey has drawn praise from a variety of trainers lately, including Quirindi’s Geoff O’Brien.
“Reece has come along really well of late,” O’Brien said.
“He has had some good rides, ridden a couple of good winners and is growing in confidence.
“I was confident he would have a few good rides today [Tuesday] and I am pleased to say I was right.”
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Despite the form of Jones, O’Brien’s horse Grass Cutter was unable to pull out a win on the day.
“I was happy enough with the run in the end,” O’Brien said.
“Grass Cutter is not a 1000 metre horse and even with the light weight it’s not a distance that suits him.
“Reece did a good job on him though, it can be tough sometimes because you can’t carry the horse, but he did pretty well.”
O’Brien said the Quirindi track allowed for “some lighting fast times” in some races.
“The couple of 1000 metre races saw some really smart times run,” he said.
“That didn’t suit Grass Cutter too well at all, but that’s how it goes.
“As I have said in the past he is far better suited to the wet conditions.
“Personally I wouldn’t have minded if the track had received a deluge of rain the night before, but that’s how it goes.
“We will get Grass Cutter ready for the next meeting at Quirindi in a few weeks time and hope that it rains beforehand.”
O’Brien’s other runner on Tuesday, Mahlia, fell short in her first race over 1600 metres, in race four.
“I was a little disappointed in her run to be honest,” O’Brien said.
“She whacked away though and will hopefully be better for the run.”