The sporting world is full of miracle wins and apprentice Beau Mertens will need one of those to snatch the Melbourne jockeys' premiership at Caulfield on Saturday.
Mertens has emerged as a bright young talent in the 2016/17 season with 73 city winners to vie for the Melbourne jockey's title with Craig Williams for most of the season.
Williams has lifted since returning from what could have been a crucial suspension with nine winners in the last five Melbourne meetings to open a three-win lead going into Saturday's finale while Mertens has notched two wins and eight minor placings in the same period.
Williams has a full book of nine rides to Mertens' eight bookings at Caulfield on Saturday but early markets indicate the apprentice would need to pull something out of nowhere to even draw level with the seasoned pro on Saturday.
Eight of Williams's nine rides are in single figures while Mertens has two mounts, Seattle Park and Supido, under $10.
Below is a breakdown of the pair's rides at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race |
Williams |
Mertens |
1 |
Divine Chills ($4.50) |
Sahara Chill ($19) |
2 |
Charlevoix ($3.80) |
No ride |
3 |
Shamport ($7.50) |
Evolutionist ($34) |
4 |
Charlie Garcon ($15) |
Tango Rock ($13) |
5 |
Windbern ($8) |
Seattle Park ($9.50) |
6 |
Mystified ($6) |
Sweet Perfume ($15) |
7 |
Wayanka ($6) |
Tres ($26) |
8 |
Ability ($8) |
Supido ($3.50) |
9 |
Cosmic Lights ($4.20) |
Scapa Cove ($24) |