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By Ray Hickson

If there was an element of surprise in Toomuchtobear’s first-up win, jockey Reece Jones says expectations have to be higher that he can back it up at Kensington on Saturday.

Apprentice Reece Jones (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The Chris Waller-trained gelding produced a sizzling last 600m of 33.96 (Punter's Intelligence) at the end of 1400m to win at Randwick two weeks ago, a time not far outside the meeting's best of 33.67 set in a 1000m sprint.

Jones, who was having his first ride on the four-year-old, said he’s rapt to have another chance to partner Toomuchtobear in the ACY Securities Handicap (1550m) and see if he takes the step he’s expecting.

“The way he let down, especially over that last furlong or so, he rocketed to the line well and he should be in for a good prep if he can keep that up,’’ he said.

“I got the indication (Chris Waller) wasn’t expecting him to run as well as he did. He usually races a bit handier and from a wide gate he wanted me to go back and have one good last crack at them.”

Nobody missed the performance and Toomuchtobear was $2.70 favourite with TAB on Friday to repeat the dose after winning at $10 two weeks ago.

It’s a different race this time around, as Jones said the barrier draw should allow him to be a little more positive on the horse and more in keeping with his normal pattern.

One thing he won’t need to worry about is having to take up the running.

“I think there is going to be good speed in the race with horses like Canasta and For Valour who will roll along so he should be able to slot into a nice spot,’’ Jones said.

“He won’t have as big a job to do as last time and that makes it easier for him. He’ll probably be a bit more relaxed not being so fresh as well.

“If I can position him nicely not too far off them, hopefully we can run over the top of them again.”

The emerging apprentice has a strong book of rides at Kensington and he feels he’s now gaining some momentum after his planned move to a more regular metropolitan presence was stalled by Covid.

He’s looking forward to reuniting with the Bjorn Baker-trained Exotic Ruby in the Sharp Extensive IT Handicap (1300m) after combining for a gutsy win on the Kensington track early in December.

Since that win the mare rose in class to a Benchmark 88 and finished a gallant second to Snippy Fox and comes back a notch this weekend.

“She’s drawn well so that will be a plus and she’ll probably settle just behind the speed again,’’ he said.

“It was a really tough effort when she won, she wasn’t entitled to win as well as she did after the work she did. She kept using her momentum to cruise around and when I asked for more of an effort she really unleashed a nice little sprint.

“She’s obviously in good form and coming back to a 78 with 55kg after the claim no doubt she will be in it for a long way.”

Toomuchtobear wins at Randwick on December 18

As far as last placings so, Jones said Fritz’s Factor’s first-up performance where she failed to beat a runner home “wasn’t a bad last” and is expecting improvement on Saturday.

The six-year-old is having her second run since a year off the scene in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1100m) and Jones said she felt very good in the run first-up when beaten five lengths by The Bopper.

“She definitely needed that first-up run but if you look at the run it’s not as bad as it looks on paper,’’ he said.

“She didn’t get a clear run down the straight and was bumping into another horse most of the way so she didn’t really get into a rhythm.

“We were happy with the run, she hadn’t raced for a year. I’m confident she can run a good race.”

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