Samantha Wynne (46 wins) holds a five-win lead over Racha Cuneen (41 wins) with two months to go in the premiership, but knows Cuneen, especially with a 2kg allowance, is a big threat.
Wynne (26) has seven rides at Riccarton today compared with Cuneen's five, but Cuneen has two rides secured at Trentham before returning south for the Waimate Cup meeting on Sunday.
''Racha is gaining ground a lot lately,'' Wynne said.
''I see he's up to Wellington on Saturday and I'm going away to Melbourne for two weeks [at the start of July] so I'll have to try and pull something good from somewhere.''
Today's seven-race card would be a good place to start, with Wynne hoping for something smart from several of her relatively inexperienced rides.
Wynne feels Letsavafling (race 2) has a lot of potential, as she resumes over 1000m after one start early in her 3yr-old year.
''This is more like a trial for her, so I don't know how ready she will be,'' she said.
''It's slow7 at the moment which will be in our favour. She had a start last year in a stakes race - I think Lance [Robinson, trainer] was just having a go because it was on the back door.
''She should handle it because she'll get forward, so I hope she will just get through it and stay.''
Incerto (race 6) is also lightly tried and will have just her fourth start when she tackles a rating 65 1200m field today.
The Iffraaj filly has taken to racing quite quickly, recording two fourths before winning at Timaru last month.
The Neil Coulbeck-trained 3yr-old had shown some fiery tendencies early in her career and when she started to settle down, Wynne said stable staff thought she might need a break.
''Then she came out and won so maybe the penny has dropped for her,'' Wynne said.
''She'll definitely like the soft ground being by Iffraaj, so I'm really hoping she has come on from her maiden run. I'll just tuck her in and get a bit of cover, because it is a long straight.''
Alpine Julz (race 1) has three trials under her belt and coped with a slow9 track at the Rangiora trials last week.
A visit to the Balcairn stables of John and Karen Parsons yesterday morning gave Wynne confidence about the daughter of Keeper.
''They were happy it rained a lot in town and she should be a good show,'' she said.
''It's a half to Alpine Heights so, hopefully, it has a bit of potential like its brother.''
Wynne thinks Miss Mia (race 7) should have a good each-way chance after improving from her first run.
Why Wait (race 5) and Mister Spiderman (race 3) will both be chances with a good runs, and Wynne believes Feral Ice (race 4) has been better in recent starts than her form suggests.
Wynne has four rides at Oamaru on Sunday, with Bobby Al (race 4) looking like the best of her four engagements.
''He's a nice horse who should improve a lot from his fresh-up run and I don't think the ground should worry him too much.''
