The Invercargill-based Ferguson leads the national junior drivers' premiership with 33 wins this season, one ahead of Canterbury driver Stevie Golding.
But when Ferguson went to work for Invercargill horseman Wayne Adams at the start of the season, chasing a premiership was not on the radar.
''It never even crossed my mind at the start of the year,'' Ferguson said.
''I was just hoping to do a good job with the new job for Wayne - that was my main goal.''
So now the chase has become serious.
Ferguson and Golding both have drives at Addington tonight, Gore tomorrow and Oamaru on Sunday as they look to gain an advantage on each other.
''I've just started to do a bit more travelling and picked up a few more drives, which is good,'' Ferguson said.
''I hadn't really thought much about it until now. We're starting to run out of time now so the next month or so is really going to be who gets the best run.''
Ferguson's best drive at Addington is clearly Jewels runner-up Zachary Binx, who takes on a small field of trotters.
''It was a massive run so if he can go as good again this week, he'd be a pretty good drive to have.''
Ferguson has six drives at Gore, headlined by last-start winners Robyn's Bad Boy (race 3) and Sniggihdis (race 12).
The 3yr-old Robyn's Bad Boy is chasing a penalty-free win after winning at Winton last start.
He has drawn barrier 7, which may suit his sit-and-sprint style.
''The two times he has won, he has sat back a wee bit and run over the top of them,'' Ferguson said.
''He can do a wee bit of work as well but if it all goes to plan, hopefully he doesn't have to do too much.''
By contrast, Sniggihdis grinds out his races well, but has drawn barrier 4 on the second line in the last race on the card.
The Murray Brown-trained 5yr-old has returned to racing with gusto, scoring two placings before winning at Ascot Park on June 1.
''It was a really top run - he went 2.42 around Invercargill and never looked like getting beat,'' Ferguson said.
''Browny tells me he is working on good again. He's a horse that can handle doing a bit of work and seems better rolling along, so can probably put himself in a position to be handy at the finish.''
Jerry Fitz (race 8) has been running on with purpose in the claimers' series, but is in the c2 grade tomorrow with a cosy draw of barrier 1.
''He's been going really well - he just hasn't had a draw to work with. If they go hard enough up front and he can do as little work as possible, he can really rocket home.''
Ferguson also has time for Annie Fitz (race 4) provided luck goes her way, while he rates Lamborne Road (race 9) as his best chance at Oamaru on Sunday.
