Parkes eyes next 500 wins in saddle

FIVE HUNDY: Jonathan Parkes racked up 500 career winners on Saturday, many of them in the latter years for Marton trainer Fraser Auret (left).PHOTO/FILE PARKES

Hard-working Wanganui jockey Jonathan Parkes has joined the 500 club with his win on 16-1 shot Aronmore for northern trainer Roger James at Te Rapa last Saturday.

It may have taken 10 years for the now 26-year-old to rack up 500 wins with his first coming as a 16-year-old apprentice for Grant Searle in Levin but it is a safe bet the next 500 will take significantly less with his increasing level of dedication and talent in the saddle.

"I remember my first - it was Blissful Dancer and seems a long time ago now," Parkes recalls. "It's been a real grind, especially the last three or four years (since losing his apprentice claim and becoming a fully-fledged professional). But I have a lot of people to thank for supporting me."

Parkes concedes manager and Trackside presenter Bevan Sweeney has been a huge help, although the growing number of loyal owners and trainers have been essential to reaching his milestone.

"Yeah, Bevan has been a great help, but there are so many people who have helped. The last couple of seasons I've ridden a lot of winners for Fraser (Auret) and others."

Marton-based Auret and Parkes have struck up a remarkable relationship and both rarely go a Central Districts meeting without racking up a win.

Parkes ended his apprenticeship with Wanganui trainer Paul Belsham and, every season since, his professionalism has grown, impressing many top judges throughout New Zealand.

Last season, Parkes finished second to northern hoop Matt Cameron in the Jockey's Premiership with 118 wins. This season Parkes sits on 80 wins.

"It really cost me copping a six-week suspension for reckless riding at the start of this season. I still hope I can break 100 for the season with two-and-a-half months of the season to go, but winners are more difficult to come by in winter."

Parkes has ridden two Group One winners during the past 10 years - Ransomed for Gary Vile in the 2013/2014 Spring Classic at Hastings and Miss Mossman for then trainer John Sargent in the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in the same season.

Ironically, Miss Mossman won four races earlier than Aronmore at Te Rapa on Saturday in the hands of Craig Grylls.

Parkes now has his eyes firmly set on his second 500 starting at the Hawke's Bay meeting tomorrow and again at New Plymouth on Saturday.

"My focus really is on next season when I'll be trying to ride as many winners as I can but, more importantly, more black-type winners," Parkes said.