Jye Mcneil would appear unbeatable in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership with six weeks of the season left to run, but he is not going to rest on his laurels.
Holding a 21-win lead over an ineligible Jamie Kah and 23 in front of Damien Oliver, McNeil looks certain to land his first Premiership to go with the Melbourne Cup he landed in 2020 aboard Twilight Payment.
But before season’s end, McNeil wants to add to his tally of 71 wins in the metropolitan area and repay the faith that owners and trainers have shown him throughout the season.
While it would be tempting to head away now and escape the winter cold, McNeil said he will push on to seasons end.
“It’s been a good season in terms of winners and runners, and it’s been a PB for me so far and whilst I’m in that position I want to try and achieve as many winners as I can for the season,” McNeil said.
This season has seen McNeil restrict interstate travel.
Firstly, he had his eye on winning the Premiership while secondly, he said he didn’t have that horse he thought could take him interstate.
“When I didn’t have those horses to do that, I decided to stay home and see what opportunities could present themselves,” McNeil said.
“At the start of every season, that is where you hope to be, up near the top of the table, and it became possible halfway through the season.
“That’s when I started to put things in place and put myself in a position to give myself every chance to achieve the Premiership.
“I’m working hard to try and achieve as many winners as possible. I’m totally focussed on the process on not the outcome.”
McNeil is hard at work each week.
Jump-outs at Cranbourne on a Monday and Flemington on a Friday is interspersed with trackwork at either track, wherever needed, each Tuesday.
“It’s been great so far and I’m hoping to round out the season in the same fashion,” he said.
