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By Ray Hickson

The only thing jockey Reece Jones fears when he partners Dollar Magic at Randwick on Saturday is that the mare will be unlucky enough to run into yet another horse on the up.

Jockey Reece Jones. (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Nobody would begrudge the Scott Singleton-trained five-year-old a win in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) after five straight second placings in town and it’s a run of placings Jones would very much like to snap.

That comes as no surprise as although he’s won two races on the mare his second place tally now stands at seven.

“She’s trying her guts out every time she steps out,’’ Jones said.

“She’s racing really well albeit without winning. Some have made the comparison she’s the new Tom Melbourne at the moment.

“As it turns out she keeps on bumping into one but you can’t fault her for that she’s trying hard.”

While she's been winless so far this campaign, from her six starts Dollar Magic has collected around $130,000 for her connections.

Time To Boogie extended Dollar Magic’s runs of seconds when he was too speedy for her over the 1000m at Randwick two weeks ago.

Jones said his mount, $4.80 with TAB on Thursday, typically tried hard and perhaps coming back to the short course worked against her given her previous four runs were over a bit more ground.

“We ran into a better horse. She had every chance but I feel like that was a sharp horse, it wasn’t her day but hopefully this week it might be hers,’’ he said.

“She’s been going around at 1100m and 1200m and the drop to 1000m probably worked against her a little bit.

“She was grinding home, taking ground off them, but I feel like 1100-1200 is more her go.

“We’ve drawn another good gate to get a nice soft run, as long as she begins well she will put herself right there.”

Testator Silens backs up in the TAB Handicap (1400m) after a close fourth last Saturday and Jones is hoping the gelding has a bit more luck when it counts.

Despite being cramped for room at the business end the Joe Pride-trained galloper clocked the fastest last 200m (11.71, Punter’s Intelligence) as he just missed third behind Robusto.

“The opportunity didn’t present itself but once he got out he attacked the line really well. He was probably a little unlucky not to go a bit closer,’’ Jones said.

“I think stepping up in trip is going to help his cause but he’s racing well.

“Joe’s done a great job with him and it’d be good to get another win for him, he’s been a big supporter of late.”

It’s been almost six months since Invincible Legend scored a visually impressive win on the Kensington track and though he hasn’t trialled he showed Jones in trackwork that he’s in good shape to return in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m).

“He’s galloped quite nicely, nothing too strenuous but some nice work to clear the cobwebs out,’’ he said.

The Les Bridge-trained four-year-old has had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from the right knee since that win.

Dollar Magic runs second at Randwick on December 16

Jones expects the trip may be a bit sharp but given he’s won three of his last five starts he’s keen to see what the gelding can do this preparation.

“He strikes me as a progressive horse, he’s been going through his grades nicely,’’ he said.

“He went through all those gaps last time and weaved his way through and still came out on top. He’s got that desire to win, first-up over 1200m might be short of his best but I’m sure he can give a good account of himself.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting