Craig Williams kept his Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership hopes alive with a treble at Flemington on Saturday.
The haul leaves him five wins behind current leader Blake Shinn, with 25 metropolitan races left in the season.
Williams had briefly narrowed the margin to four before last Wednesday’s Sandown meeting, but Shinn responded with a treble of his own while Williams went winless.
Despite the setback, Williams was grateful to be driving home safely after one of his rides went amiss.
“Last Wednesday I went to the races and said Blake has got some great rides, and I’ve got some good rides,” he said.
“He came away with three winners and I didn’t have one… my wife came home and said it’s all well and good that you’re trying to win a premiership, but you are home and I’m happy.”
The premiership race continues at Sandown on Wednesday, where both riders have strong books.
Williams is set to ride in all eight races, including Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) contender Kin, Kallos or Inhibitions.
He had hoped Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) winner In Flight would remain in Melbourne.
“Unfortunately, my horse that won the other day has gone home,” he said.
Williams will head to Ukraine for a break following the final meeting on July 30 — “hopefully with a premiership under his wing.”