24 January 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Malcom Jones became the fourth generation member of his family to train a winner after the win of Pink Ponder in Burnie on Sunday afternoon.
Sent out as a $27 chance, the 11-year-old mare stepped cleanly in the standing start event, which was restricted to trainers who trained 10 or less winners last season.
From the front mark, Pink Ponder stepped brilliantly to lead, and she was always holding her rivals over the concluding stages.
“I always thought she was a chance if she was able to lead, and I was very happy when she lobbed on top,” he said post-race.
Malcom, 19, was having his 10th start since gaining his trainer’s license in October and purchased the mare on the advice of a former Tasmanian-based trainer-driver.
“Conor Crook saw her for sale and suggested she would be a good one for me to get to drive every week,” Malcom said.
And obtaining his trainer’s license is something Malcom has always wanted to do
“It’s always been something to work towards.
“It’s just a hobby at the moment while I’m working full time,” said the apprentice welder fabricator at Beams Brothers.
Malcom is unsure on what the future is for Pink Ponder, who broke the $100,000 prize money barrier with the win.
“There’s another trainers race in Burnie in a couple of weeks.
“I’m not sure if I will keep her going for that or retire her from racing and we might breed from her next breeding season,” said the winning owner, trainer and driver.
Pink Ponder has already been to the breeding barn, producing a daughter of A Rocknroll Dance, an un-raced five-year-old mare bred by previous owners.
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