Apprentice SA jockey Caitlin Jones’ hot streak has suddenly given her a realistic chance of nailing a couple of important personal targets.
Fresh from her first-ever metropolitan treble last Saturday, Jones is racing against time – on two fronts.
After an injury-interrupted career, Jones’ apprenticeship ends on December 17 and she needs just two more metropolitan winners before then to achieve the notable goal of outriding her claim.
However, a second target is also looming large, in the form of a milestone birthday.
“My 30th birthday is December 15th and I’ve always made this joke: I’ll be an apprentice until I’m 30,” Jones said.
“So, it’s going to be true if I don’t ride the two.”
Given her current form in the saddle, few would bet against her reaching those long-held goals.
In addition to crossing ‘Listed winner’ off her riding bucket-list thanks to Regalo Di Gaetano in the recent John Letts Cup at Morphettville, Jones’ treble at headquarters last Saturday – in consecutive races aboard Charossa, Alleboom and Black Syrah – achieved another aim.
“Well, I wanted to try to ride a Group or Listed winner and Richard and Chantelle (Jolly) provided me with that, with Regalo Di Gaetano, so that was a definitely a highlight so far of my apprenticeship,” she said.
“Obviously a metropolitan treble I got within my time too, so that was also something I ticked off.
“Now the main one is to outride that claim.”
Jones’ first professional ride was seven years ago, on November 29, 2013, after starting at the picnics in Victoria in late 2010. Since then she has endured a roller-coaster ride, with runs of hot form punctuated by lengthy injury breaks, most notably a serious back injury sustained in a trackwork fall in August 2018.
But, the plucky hoop has fought her way back – again – and says she is now riding pain-free, thanks largely to a diligent health routine.
“My body’s as good as I could ever have it,” she said.
“I continue to maintain my back. It’s just over 12 months since the operation and I had one minor setback when I got a little bit concerned about it.
“But I was smart in how I approached it and it came through fine – I haven’t had a hindrance since.
“I try to have a massage once a week, or once a fortnight at least. Other than that, it’s just keeping the body fit and well, and looking after it as best I can in terms of diet and exercise.”
Jones has several strong chances to add to reach that magical 80 metropolitan win target at tomorrow’s meeting at Morphettville, including Kirinia (race 3), Exalted Traveller (race 4), Picargo (race 5), Beeokay (race 6) and Hankstar (race 9).
However, she says the targets will be no distraction.
“I don’t play it by numbers,” she said. “Because at the end of the day I’m out there every week trying to ride winners, and give every horse the best chance I can.”
IMAGE: Caitlin Jones after winning aboard Alleboom last Saturday.