Latest News

By Tony Megahey

There’s a degree of sentiment for trainer Dean Mirfin and Reece Jones with a typical near full book, including value chances for the accomplished Bathurst trainer throughout Wellington’s in-depth TAB meeting on Wednesday.

Rescheduled from Monday, Wellington’s capacity eight-race card on a heavy track sees any amount of emerging youngsters from the strongest regional stables, including several for regular TAB Highway and Country Championships contender Mirfin, who got his start way back originally working at Royal Randwick for TJ Smith and Bart Cummings.

Apprentice Reece Jones - has six good rides at Wellington. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I’ve known Reece’s mum Dianne from way back and watched how Reece has progressed, credit to him,” Mirfin offered.

Reece was the leading apprentice in NSW last season with a century of winners and has maintained momentum with a dozen winners so far in the new season.

Meanwhile, Mirfin is racing performed sprinter I Am Capitan and maiden Anthropica in the Superhorse trust of the late prolific Ross Williams who had a long and successful association with Coolmore Stud.

“Ross was one of the biggest owners and breeders in NSW, these will be among the last in his ownership to race.”

Williams raced 2019 Derby winner Angel of Truth then trained by Gwenda Markwell.

“I am Capitan is a nine-year-old now, been just a marvellous, we race him for just for the enjoyment, he’s paid for being so genuine and honest with big weights, but he’ll be competitive again.”

His 63kg impost in the Todd Smith Appreciation BM 66 (1100m) will be reduced by the 3kg claim for Jackson Searle and the veteran thrives on rain-affected tracks.

“Reece is on Neon Moon and Supergaze for me in respective maidens, Neon Moon is an on-pacer who will be competitive, it’s too short for Supergaze and Anthropica is trialling well enough.”

At present Wellington remains a Heavy 10 after Monday’s postponement and could get an upgrade if fine weather continues.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wellington here