Jones has relocated from New South Wales and linked up with the Bolinda stable of Brent Lilley.

Originally from New Zealand, the 17-year-old made his mark in NSW working with Menangle trainer Kerryann Turner for about 18 months.

He drove his first winner in October last year and twice represented NSW in the state-of-origin driving series against Queensland.

Jones has had only limited opportunities since moving south and will add to his tally with another two in Ballarat on Friday night – both for Lilley.

He drives Modern Warrior in the Porter Utilities C1 Handicap, 2200m, and Im Noddy in the Porter Industries C3-C4 Pace, 1710m.

This will be his third drive on each.

Jones will be among a strong band of young concession drivers in the sulky on the 10-race program.

They include Ballarat’s Zac Steenhuis and Mitch Barker.

Barker will be in charge of Allwevneed for his father Kelvin in the Christmas Charity Carnival Claiming Pace, 2200m.

Steenhuis also has just the one drive – Mallee Trapper in the Dickson Dairy Trotters Handicap, 2200m.

Steenhuis sits seventh in the state concession drivers’ premiership with nine wins for the season.

The Eureka 160 Cup, 2200m, is the feature event of the Ballarat and District Trotting Club program.

This will be a test for punters, with five of the eight starters resuming from spells.

The smart Charlie Machsheen has his first start for Parwan trainer Craig Demmler, having switched from the Bannockburn stable of Geoff Webster.

He has the class factor, but it has been a while since he showed his best.

Must Be Nice is another with an impressive background, being group 3-placed for Melton trainer Susan Hunter and a group 1 finalist.

The five-year-old is  race fit, having finished second to Jilliby Master two starts ago at Melton.

His latest win was in Ballarat in August.

FRIDAY’S night at Bray Raceway meeting features a first for BDTC – the Christmas Charity Carnival.

A carnival will be run in the centre of the track, with a gold coin donations for all rides going to the 3BA Christmas Appeal

PAUL James has been re-elected the Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Club chairman.

He will serve a three-year term.

James is a Ballarat and District Trotting Club past president.

Ballarat trots fields, Page 41