The Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership is set for a thrilling finish as Craig Williams and Blake Shinn go head-to-head with just four wins separating the pair in the final weeks of the season.
Both jockeys returned to metropolitan racing at Sandown last week following suspension and injury layoffs, with Shinn holding an eight-win advantage at that stage. Williams managed a winner at Sandown before scoring again at Caulfield, narrowing the gap with five meetings left until the season ends on July 31.
Shinn has yet to post a win since returning from injury, although he recorded two runner-up finishes at Caulfield on Saturday. He’ll be eager to bounce back at Sandown on Wednesday, where he holds rides in seven of the eight races.
Williams, meanwhile, has a full book of rides and is determined to chase down his rival and secure a tenth premiership title.
Betting markets favour Shinn’s chances midweek, with four of his mounts starting favourite. All seven of his rides are at single-figure odds. Williams has three favourites and two outsiders, including $26 chance Artistic Genius in the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1300m).
Shinn’s top pick is $2.50 favourite Ad Vitam in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1400m), while Williams will look to capitalise on $3.10 market leader Ten Deep in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m).
“My riding coach said it pretty simply,” Williams explained. “If you ride more winners than Blake, you win. If he rides more than you, he wins.”
“It’s a great competition, but if I wasn’t here, Blake wouldn’t be here, and vice versa. We make each other better.”
Williams added that both jockeys have long supported and learned from one another throughout their careers, including during stints in Hong Kong.
“We’ve worked tactically with each other throughout the years. Even now, in competition, we push each other to improve,” he said.
Looking ahead to Sandown and Flemington, Williams remains hopeful: “They’ve all got to turn up and perform, but I’ve got good rides coming up.”
Fans eager to back their favourite jockey in the premiership race can browse odds and markets at top bookmakers via this Australian betting site list.