Scone apprentice Reece Jones capped a breakthrough season by reaching 100 winners for the campaign with victory on the Tracey Bartley-trained Empowerment on his home track on Monday.
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Jones started the Scone program on 99.5 wins for the season and had three placings in four races before taking Empowerment to a one and a third-length victory in the 1200m class 1 handicap.
A $4.20 chance, Empowerment stalked leader Whaler Bill before taking over approaching the 200m mark.
Jones, who has the most NSW victories of any apprentice in 2020-21, was relieved to hit the century with only five days remaining in the season.
"I had a double at Tamworth on Friday and that probably put the nerves a little bit to rest," Jones told Sky Racing. "I still had a couple of meetings in hand, so I was fortunate to get it.
"I've probably had to keep reassessing new goals throughout the season. I kept hitting those milestones so to come away with 100.5 winners for the season is great."
Apprenticed to Scone trainer Rod Northam, Jones has made a stunning comeback after missing almost 12 months because of a knee reconstruction. He was hurt in a trackwork fall in May 2019 and returned in April 2020.
This season, Jones scored his maiden city success, took his first ride for Godolphin to victory and landed a remarkable four winners on a Saturday metropolitan meeting last month.
Also at Scone, Wyong trainer Stephen Farley had a winning double with Mexican Standoff and Heredero - his only two horses racing.