The battle for Melbourne’s jockeys’ premiership is set for a thrilling finish, with Craig Williams chasing down an injured Blake Shinn, who may not add to his current tally.
Shinn leads with 67 metropolitan wins but is sidelined with a foot injury, giving Williams — on 55 — a fighting chance over the final 12 meetings.
Daniel Stackhouse and Mark Zahra sit equal third with 43 wins apiece.
Shinn also tops the Victorian standings with 139 wins, 20 ahead of Jamie Mott, while Stackhouse is third with 101.
Nationally, William Pike (140.5) is closing in on Shinn’s Australian-leading 150 wins with six weeks left in the season.
In South Australia, apprentice Rochelle Milnes leads with 41 metro victories, just ahead of Taylor Johnstone (39) and Lachy Neindorf (35).
James McDonald appears destined for another Sydney title with 81 wins, well clear of Zac Lloyd (61).
Brisbane’s Emily Lang leads Angela Jones 58 to 51, while in Perth, Pike (90.5) trails Chris Parnham (92) in a tight race.
