Jones rated right up there with the best

History shows that the Riverina region of New South Wales has produced more than is share of harness racing champions, both horse and horsemen throughout the decades – and that tradition continues in the modern era.

Coleambally-born reinsman Blake Jones is rated right up there with the best to have come out of the district with the 33-year-old consistently landing winners on all tracks.

Jones gained valuable experience when he kicked off in the sport, working for leading stables throughout the state.

Now settled in Narrandera, Jones does his fair share of travelling to race meetings and averages around 500 drives in a season while working alongside his partner Ellen Bartley, who trains a large team of pacers.

“We do have a busy lifestyle there is no doubt about that,” said Jones.

“But we would not have it any other way.

“Both Ellen and I travel plenty of Kilometres each year and thankfully we achieve enough success to pay the bills.

“I am very lucky in my situation that I get the best of both worlds as a reinsman.

“I get to choose some of the better drives from the horses that Ellen and I prepare and then have the support from a lot of trainers who are keen to put me on their horses .”

Jones finished the 2022 season in the top 10 on the state’s drivers premiership with 97 winners and he already has his sights set on bettering that score in 2023.

“I drove like a man possessed late in the year attempting to reach the 100-win milestone,” said Jones.

“Unfortunately, I just fell short of the mark but I was still satisfied with my efforts and I am now on a mission to try and make this season an even bigger one.”

Jones heads to Wagga today where he has a busy afternoon driving in seven of the eight races.

His best chance of winning appears to be aboard the David White-trained Our Rocky (A Rocknroll Dance) in Race 6.

The gelding was a winner at Wagga two starts ago when driven by Jones and backed that up with a third placing at Leeton.

Our Rocky will have to overcome a wide barrier eight draw this afternoon but is one of the better-performed horses in the race.

The best bet today comes up in Race 2 with Freskos Art expected to win.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW