History shows that the Riverina region of New South Wales has produced more than its share of champions, both horse and horsemen throughout the decades - and that tradition continues in the modern era.

Coleambally-born reinsman Blake Jones is rated right up there with the best to have come out of the district with the 33-year-old consistently landing winners.

Jones gained valuable experience when he kicked off in the sport, working for leading stables throughout the state.

Now settled in Narrandera, Jones does his fair share of travelling to race meetings and averages around 500 drives in a season while working alongside his partner Ellen Bartley, who trains a large team of pacers.

“We do have a busy lifestyle there is no doubt about that,” said Jones.

“But we would not have it any other way.

“Both Ellen and I travel plenty of kilometres each year and thankfully we achieve enough success to pay the bills.

“I am very lucky in my situation that I get the best of both worlds as a reinsman.

“I get to choose some of the better drives from the horses that Ellen and I prepare and then have the support from a lot of trainers who are keen to put me on their horses.”

Having driven 966 wins since first kicking off in the 2007/08 season, Jones finished the 2022 season in the top 10 on the state’s drivers premiership with 97 winners and he already has his sights set on bettering that score in 2023.

“I drove like a man possessed late in the year attempting to reach the 100-win milestone,” said Jones.

“Unfortunately, I just fell short of the mark, but I was still satisfied with my efforts, and I am now on a mission to try and make this season an even bigger one.”

Jones and Bartley landed a win at Wagga on Friday night, with Jones driving Maddis Tigers to victory in the NR up to 45 pace.

Starting a $1.90 favourite, the three-year-old did it easy when first-up for a short break, winning by 10.3m in the end.

Jones heads to Junee on Saturday for the club’s Junee Pacers Cup meeting, where he has a busy afternoon driving in six of the eight races.

Kennedy’s three-pronged attack on Junee Pacers Cup

Local trainer David Kennedy has three pacers set to contest Saturday’s $19,380, 2170m Junee Pacers Cup.

Killara Juggernaut (James McPherson) and Sporting Robyn (Rodney Coelli) have drawn inside on the front row, while Romanee (Jackson Painting) has drawn the inside on the back row.

Romanee looks the best of the stable’s chance. The five-year-old won the Leeton Cup on January 1 but finished down the track in the Temora Cup on January 14.

Kennedy and Painting will also team up in the NR up to 60, 2170m Allan Harpley Memorial pace, with Fire and Sword starting from the front row.

Kinross off to Wagga

The in-form Kinross will tackle the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Wagga today for Narrandera trainer Shane Bloomfield.

Connections have drawn hate nine and Jeff Penza takes the ride.

Kinross has been racing well since returning from a 22-week spell, winning the 1065m Class One Handicap at Wagga on November 21 before finishing fifth and beaten 2.78 lengths in a 1200m Class Two Handicap at Wagga on December 5.

Four weeks later, the five-year-old ran a good third to up-and-coming galloper Supido Beauty.