Latest News

By Tony Megahey

While the Morgan brothers - Cody and Luke - have the numbers and form to dominate their Tamworth home track TAB meeting on Tuesday, Scone’s accomplished Rod Northam and his brilliant comeback apprentice Reece Jones provide the value.

Jones, consolidating his healthy lead in the NSW apprentices' premiership ahead of Irish rider Tom Sherry and Dylan Gibbons, has a near full book and on 77 wins this season, before Taree on Monday, including his initial city winner in Majestic Shot recently at Rosehill Gardens.

Reece Jones after winning on Majestic Shot at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Image by Bradley Photographers

“His desire and work ethic has pulled him through some tough times with injuries and a long time out, he deserves the success he’s having,” Northam enthused of Reece who was off the tracks for almost two years after track accidents.

“He’s 25, no young apprentice - had 12 months out and then that bad fall at Quirindi but his advantages are his experience, his strength and he can ride at 51kg.”

Reece has rides in six of the seven Tamworth races where he and Dylan [who rode three successive winners at Taree on Monday], with six rides, and strong form lines, are primed for productive days.

According to Northam, his last start dominant Tamworth winner, The Wayfarer ($6 on TAB) and maiden galloper El’ Peri ($5) will be highly competitive.

“The Wayfarer is up in grade in a tough race, good speed and a dominant maiden win, the next step is always a test but he’s a progressive three-year-old.”

The Wayfarer contests the Shay Brennan Constructions Class 2, 1000m for Reece after leading to win by a widening three lengths at the track three weeks ago and has a favourable inside draw.

El’ Perri, a three-year-old Nicconi protégé contests the TAB.com.au maiden, 1000m: “I’ve had an opinion of this filly right from the start, she’s really progressive and she’ll run us a race.”

El’ Perri won an open barrier trial impressively at Narromine in April and then was a close third at Wellington and unplaced in a stronger Muswellbrook maiden.

They combine with Mr Whitacre ($5) who has been placed twice but drawn wide in an early maiden.

Dylan’s best chances are Being Naughty ($3 favourite) for Bob Milligan in the fifth event and Rubic Honour ($3.90 favourite) for Cody Morgan in the last race.

At present Tamworth is a soft 6 track in fine weather.