While the Sydney and Melbourne jockeys premierships have captured the most attention as the season draws to an end, the battle for the Adelaide trainers’ title is also going down to the wire.
With just two metropolitan meetings remaining in South Australia, only one win separates reigning premier trainer Phillip Stokes (34) and the partnership of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas.
Tony McEvoy is another 1-1/2 wins behind behind Macdonald and Gluyas.
Macdonald is a Hall of Fame trainer and has trophies from many of Australia’s major races including the Caulfield Cup and the Victoria and Australian Derbys but has not yet taken his home town championship.
He and Gluyas will have runners in five races at Morphettville on Saturday while Stokes competes in four races and McEvoy in three.
“I think the premiership will be decided on Saturday,” Macdonald said.
“We have some good chances and I think we can catch Stokesy.
“But Tony McEvoy is just behind as well so it will be close.
“It would be a big thrill to win it. I didn’t realise until recently how close we were.”
Stable jockey Clare Lindop has wrapped up her third Adelaide premiership and remains the only woman to claim a metropolitan title on mainland Australia.
Macdonald and Gluyas have their eyes on this year’s Caulfield Cup with Go Indy Go, winner of the 2014 Group One Champagne Stakes in Sydney.
After a mixed spring campaign, Go Indy Go missed the autumn to concentrate on this year’s Melbourne carnival.
“She is coming along really well and so far so good,” Macdonald said.
