The 5yr-old did not debut until September last year, but has since racked up a remarkably consistent form-line in his six starts, winning every even start and running second in every odd start.
Owner-driver Wayne Higgs bought the son of Lis Mara after his second on debut in September and takes the reins at the races on the horses he owns.
‘‘It works out good - I train them for him and he turns up with his driving bag on race day,'' Jones said.
Jones described Franco Exeter as a ‘‘big lean horse'', which means Jones has spaced his races out, racing just five times between December and his last run at Motukarara on April 10.
‘‘He's raced good and he's been placed well,'' Jones said.
‘‘It's probably a step up to what he's been racing, but you can't fault him and he deserves his chance.''
Franco Exeter has shown enough gate speed to suggest he could be among the front runners from his draw of barrier 5.
‘‘He's got good gate speed so he should be competitive but we'll leave the driving up to Wayne.
''However, it is another Higgs-owned horse which Jones feels is his best chance of his three runners at Forbury Park.
Coringa Delight (race 3) has faced smart youngsters such as Heaven Rocks and Amazon Lily in her last six starts. So the c1 2200m mobile pace for horses who have earned $750 or less in their last four starts fits into her schedule nicely.
‘‘It's probably one we have aimed at three or four weeks ago,'' Jones said.
‘‘It's definitely a step down to what she's been racing. She's got good gate speed and on the right day she should be pretty hard to beat in that.''
Croft Bay (race 6) showed his worth over the summer, winning at Nelson in January after three good runs in the five weeks prior. The son of Lis Mara ran fourth at the Ashburton workouts last week ‘‘but he's probably forward enough to be pretty hard to beat in that''.
Jones has Delightful Memphis in the group 1 2yr-old sires stakes fillies championship at Alexandra Park tomorrow night, although she has copped a second-line draw again after finishing sixth in the Caduceus Club Classic last week.
Driver Blair Orange tried to take the lead with 1500m to go, but was held out by Millwood Daisy.
‘‘Once that kind of happened, she had no luck after that, so we have just turned the page and hoped for more luck this week.''
Tips from the talent
Jonny Cox: Thisgirlisonfire (Race 7, No 3)
Matthew Williamson: Hustle Hill (Race 5, No 12)
Amber Hoffman: To Ri Alby (Race 4, No 2)
Brad Williamson: Pyramid Mustang (Race 1, No 8)
Geoff Knight: Silver Dale (Race 2, No 6)
