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Reinsman notches up 1000th winner

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Narrandera reinsman Blake Jones has been a dominant force in the Riverina for quite some time and in the final race at Wagga last week the talented horseman achieved a significant goal in his driving career.

Jones brought up his 1000th winner aboard the Bernie Kelly-trained Waratah Lou.

“It is good to have the monkey off my back now,” Jones said.

“Knowing the milestone was not far away was definitely in the back of my mind during the past month.

“I knew I would reach it at some stage, but now that it has finally happened, I can reflect on the achievement and appreciate just how fortunate I have been to make such a success of something that I enjoy doing.”

Jones’ career kicked off in 2008 when he first started driving for his uncle, prominent Riverina trainer David Kennedy, bringing up his first winner at the Wagga Showground track, driving the pacer Toranardo.

After completing his grounding with Kennedy and his grandfather Joe Painting, Blake moved to Sydney to consolidate his professional career, driving with success under the guidance of Trevor Munday.

Thereafter, the then teenager headed to Bathurst to accept a position with Steve and Jenny Turnbull at their Radiant Lodge stables.

Jones’ tenure in Bathurst proved successful and whilst there he also worked for Nathan and Kevin Hurst.

But Blake’s heart was in the Riverina, and he moved back home, once again linking up with David Kennedy.

“The early years of travelling and driving horses was a time that I will never forget,” said Jones.

“I have met some amazing people and horsemen who have become lifelong friends and I have learnt so much about the standardbred from them along the way.”

Currently Jones and his partner Ellen Bartley work together with a large team of pacers at their Narrandera stables with Ellen as the trainer and Jones driving most of them.

Jones described Ellen as the heartbeat of the stables and an extremely hard worker who was diligent with everything she does with horses.

The couple captured the Riverina Regional Championship with promising pacer, Brooklyn Bridge. With a $100,000 purse, the TAB sponsored feature is also Bartley’s biggest triumph.

Pushed forward from barrier four, Brooklyn Bridge was caught wide early before claiming the lead from his stablemate, Be My Girl.

Striding clear along the home straight, the son of Sweet Lou cruised to a 12-and a half metre win from Louthario, with Oratoria a head away third.

Rating 1:55.5 over 2270 metres, Brooklyn Bridge stretched his record to seven wins and a second from 10 starts for earnings of $92,431.

“When he got to the front I knew it would take a big run to beat him, but Oratoria got a good run through from the second row to be in the breeze, so I was still worried,” Bartley said.

“Even when he kicked away I held my breath until he got over the line. He’s in the State Final at Club Menangle so I will keep him ticking over at home until then.”

Narrandera Argus 25 May 2023

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 25 May 2023.

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