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By Ray Hickson

To some apprentices it’s a milestone that means as much as, if not more than, a premiership so you can understand why Reece Jones is excited to go to Rosehill on Saturday on the verge of outriding his metropolitan claim.

Reece Jones has two wins left to outride his apprentice claim. (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Just two wins stand between the 27-year-old and losing his 1.5kg allowance and with six city wins in the past two weeks he has the momentum and a handy bunch of rides to suggest he might achieve what he regards as a major goal this weekend.

If he doesn’t he’ll go to Canterbury on Wednesday and Randwick next Saturday, a meeting he has ridden four winners at the past two seasons, chasing the same dream.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to do and it’s been my main goal since I had a bit of a slow start to the season and the premiership became out of reach,’’ Jones said.

“It’s something a lot of us strive to do. Not everyone is able to do it but it’s a special thing to do, it’s a milestone, and it’s great for any apprentice to be able to reach it.”

Jones was a relatively late starter to life as a jockey.

He was 20 when he joined Rod Northam’s stable at Scone and 22 when he recorded his first career win, at his first ride, in August 2018 but a trackwork incident some six months later saw him miss almost a year.

Momentum hasn’t always stayed with Jones but he's ridden well over 300 career winners and in the past few weeks he’s notched a Group 3 win in the Dark Jewel Classic, a treble at Rosehill two Saturdays ago, a double at Randwick last weekend and a midweek winner at Warwick Farm.

He said any time is a good one to ride a winner but as he’s about to conclude his apprenticeship, due in September, it’s nice to have the wind in his sails.

“For me personally it‘s probably the best time to be riding winners as I’m finishing up my claim,’’ he said.

“If I can have that momentum it can only help me when I get back on a level playing field.

“It presents a new set of challenges when you lose your claim but I think I’m in a good spot now to be able to do that.”

Jones is currently under the guidance of Peter and Paul Snowden and the partnership provides him with two prime chances, among his 10 rides, to reach his milestone in last start winners Devils Throat and Miss Hellfire at Rosehill.

He partnered Devil's Throat to an impressive first-up win two weeks ago, where he clocked a slick 33.32 (Punter’s Intelligence) for his last 600m and overcame difficulties.

“He raced well, he had that tendency to be a bit slow away so he probably ended up a little further back,’’ Jones said.

“Credit to him, he tried hard and he chased all the way to the line. It gave him something to focus on, I don’t think he wanted it to be any shorter!”

The gelding, $3.80 with TAB on Thursday, rises 2kg on that win in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m) and Jones said he’s shown at home that he’s in a good frame of mind.

“He does race well fresh and he still has a bit of pizzazz and spark at home coming off the track,’’ he said.

“He’s feeling well and quite happy with himself and has been working great.”

Miss Hellfire wrapped the last Rosehill meeting with a breakthrough victory and Jones sees no reason why she can’t repeat the dose in the Kia Ora Farnan Handicap (1200m).

Miss Hellfire wins at Rosehill on May 20

She also rises the 2kg but another inside gate and he said the mare has the confidence of an overdue win that impressed him.

“She really stamped herself with that win. Everything set up nicely for her from the low draw and a good speed,’’ he said.

“She’s been promising to put in a strong performance like that for a little bit and while she only won the one race before that hopefully she can go on with it now.

“She has that low draw again and still a pretty light weight, I think she will be able to back up that performance with a repeat effort.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting