Vivy Air owners back Jones for Doncaster Mile challenge

Owners of Vivy Air have seen Reece Jones deliver success already through the Five Diamonds conquest, but the jockey is especially motivated to honour their steadfast faith with a Doncaster Mile conquest.

When the mare under Ciaron Maher's guidance kicked off her campaign with a bold third to Lazzura in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), the light-weighted pilot was in control, and the group wasted no time retaining him for the $4 million feature on Saturday.

"I'm rapt to be able to ride her," Jones said.

"Really stoked with the owners and connections for sticking with me from that Five Diamonds win, and to be able to ride her in the Coolmore when she had weight, it's not like they were out of options.

"It was really pleasing to see that kind of faith in me, so hopefully I can reward them with a Group One."

At top-tier racing, Jones has shown his class with the 2024 Metropolitan on Land Legend, but subsequent almost-wins have been painful, notably his unfortunate third on Encap during the previous Doncaster.

The mare Vivy Air boasts solid credentials too, featuring one win and three seconds in four 1600m trips at Randwick, complemented by a superb second-up history.

Earlier on, she frequently filled minor spots – spanning over two years from her second to third victory with 11 other podiums – yet Jones reckons her recent spring triumphs have advanced her this time around.

"I'd like to think she has come back a little bit stronger," he said.

"She travelled really well for me the other day. She has settled down a lot from previous 'preps' and she is doing things really well at the moment.

"Those couple of wins are hopefully a nice confidence boost for her and she can build on that.

"Group Ones are hard to come by, hard to win, so she is going to have to be at her best to be in the finish, but I'm sure she is targeting the right way."

In addition, Jones teams up with Matt Cumani's Tempesti in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m); despite inconsistent Aussie form over six efforts, the prior Italian endurance runner sixth in the Manion Cup (2400m) offers hope for betterment, per Jones.

"He showed something last start," Jones said.

"He was hitting the line well and the step up in trip is going to be ideal. The Sydney way of going seems to be to his liking because it's probably what he's been used to (overseas)."

Visit top online bookmakers to find racing betting markets for the Doncaster Mile.