Veteran jockey aims for 6th title

Reese Jones and Indikator, who has now retired (front), dominated the Rotorua Cup in recent years. Photo / Ben Fraser

Reese Jones has been part of a fine legacy at Arawa Park Racecourse - having won four Rotorua Cup titles in the past five years.

But this year the veteran jockey will face a new challenge.

He will be without course specialist Indikator.

Te Aroha trained Indikator and Matamata rider Jones won a record four Rotorua Cups between 2010 and 2014, making Indikator the most successful horse in Rotorua Cup history.

Indikator has since retired and will not race tomorrow at the 70th anniversary Rotorua Cup Day.

However, Jones will be returning to try and nab another title on Storming the Tower, trained by John Bell and Mark Donoghue.

Jones said he enjoyed racing in Rotorua and had fond memories racing Indikator at Arawa Park.

"Indikator was just a gentleman to ride to be fair. I have ridden horses that have performed well at group one level and he was just a bit off that, but he had a great nature and was a real gentleman."

He said he was aiming for his sixth title as a jockey in the Rotorua Cup tomorrow, having first won here in 1989.

"This meeting has always been good to me," he said.

Racing Rotorua's flagship race, the Group Three $75,000 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup, enters its 70th year at Arawa Park this weekend.

It has a proud history with the first race won by Corot in 1946. Over the past seven decades it has featured some of the legendary personalities of racing including Grenville Hughes, David Peake and Bob Skelton.

The 2015 event has attracted a classy field with former winner of the Group One Wellfield NZ Oaks, Miss Mossman, clashing with the Kevin Myers-trained winner of the 150th Christchurch Casino NZ Cup, Spring Cheer.

There will also be a special appearance from retired horse Indikator at Arawa Park, who is not racing but will be led out in front of the fans.

The Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup is race six on the programme and will start at 2.35pm tomorrow.

There are eight other races on the programme, including the Listed $50,000 Windsor Park Stud Rotorua Stakes at 3.47pm.

Rotorua trainer Craig Phelan's horse Mr Kanton could race in the Rotorua Cup tomorrow, but needs other horses to be scratched to make the final field.

70th Rotorua Cup Day

•Tomorrow at Arawa Park Racecourse
•Free entry, gates open 10.30am, first race 11.42am