Racing
Rockhampton Thursday: Skilful Artist on good learning streak
Veteran Rockhampton trainer Alan Jones is in the twilight of his long career but it hasn’t stopped him producing winners.
Jones has a small stable in work in the beef city and hasn't lost any enjoyment from the game he loves.
The 69-year-old started training fulltime in 1979 and regards himself as a hands-on trainer who does his own veterinary work around the stable.
"I've got three in work at the moment but that'll soon be eight," Jones said.
"I started off as a butcher when I was only 13 and did my apprenticeship and stayed on for about eight years.
"I was also a rigger and a fencing contractor for six years before working in the mines for 15 years."
Despite having a small stable, Jones has been in the winner's stall eight times from his past 50 starters and is hoping to improve on his strike rate at Rockhampton on Thursday.
Jones nominated former Victorian Skilful Artist for the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1600 metres and the Ratings Band 0-55 over 1400 metres but favours starting in the latter.
Jones believes Skilful Artist will make a nice Country Cups horse in the future but he's unsure whether it will be this winter.
"He's a big rangy type who I bought him for $600," Jones said.
"He's still learning and is very green and still doesn't know what it's all about.
"I'm still educating him but I've got no doubt he'll eventually run 2000 metres.
"He's only just won his maiden so he's got a long way to go yet to get into the winter races this year, so he'll hopefully make a Cups horse next year."
Skilful Artist has started only four times for Jones for a win and three seconds.
The five-year-old son of Trapeze Artist started his career Mark and Levi Kavanagh in Victoria before being sold on-line after failing in six starts in the south.
Jones has retained his former apprentice Chris McIver to again ride Skilful Artist.
"I taught Chris how to ride when he was my apprentice and he's ridden him three times including when he won his maiden," he said.
Jones hasn't had any trouble preparing Skilful Artist despite the recent big wet in central Queensland and rising flood waters around Callaghan Park.
"We've had some rain but most of the problem has comes from the floodwaters coming down the river," he said.
"It never got onto the track and it only affected some of the tie-up stalls."
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