Vivy Air’s connections have benefited from Reece Jones’ Five Diamonds delivery, and now the rider yearns even more to validate their trust with victory in the Doncaster Mile.
The slight rider guided the Ciaron Maher-managed mare to a sharp third against Lazzura upon resumption in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), prompting swift commitment to him for the $4 million Saturday centrepiece.
“I’m rapt to be able to ride her,” Jones said.
“Really stoked with the owners and connections for sticking with me from that Five Diamonds win, and to be able to ride her in the Coolmore when she had weight, it’s not like they were out of options.
“It was really pleasing to see that kind of faith in me, so hopefully I can reward them with a Group One.”
With a 2024 Metropolitan score on Land Legend under his belt, Jones has top-flight proof, offset by recent agonising results including third on Encap in last season’s Doncaster.
Over Randwick’s mile, Vivy Air records a success and three placings second from four attempts, bolstered by strong second-up stats.
Prior to recent breakthroughs, she was a frequent runner-up – more than two years between second and third wins with 11 intermediates – though Jones credits her pair of spring conquests for current elevation.
“I’d like to think she has come back a little bit stronger,” he said.
“She travelled really well for me the other day. She has settled down a lot from previous ‘preps’ and she is doing things really well at the moment.
“Those couple of wins are hopefully a nice confidence boost for her and she can build on that.
“Group Ones are hard to come by, hard to win, so she is going to have to be at her best to be in the finish, but I’m sure she is targeting the right way.”
Further, Jones saddles Tempesti representing Matt Cumani in the Chairman’s Handicap (2600m); the ex-Italian stayer’s mixed six Australian appearances feature a Manion Cup (2400m) sixth, which Jones sees as a foundation for gain.
“He showed something last start,” Jones said.
“He was hitting the line well and the step up in trip is going to be ideal. The Sydney way of going seems to be to his liking because it’s probably what he’s been used to (overseas).”
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