Three Queensland-based jockeys remain in the running to claim the $50,000 TAB Summer Crowns bonus which concludes on Magic Millions Race Day at the Gold Coast.
Brad Stewart, Jim Byrne and Jeff Lloyd are the frontrunners to take home the lucrative prize thanks to TAB’s $1.6 million sponsorship of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.
Stewart sits atop the leaderboard with 23 points thanks to his efforts aboard Tony Gollan-trained runners Zoustyle and I’m A Rippa earlier in the carnival.
Byrne racked up a whopping 17 points on the opening day with a win in the Mode Plate (Outback Barbie) and three further second placings.
Byrne sits on 22 points, three clear of veteran Jeff Lloyd (19) who won the Sizzling plate aboard Betaima before earning consistent placings.
James McDonald shapes as the main danger from an interstate perspective, with key rides aboard Outback Barbie (MM Guineas) and Movie Role (MM Classic).
Meanwhile, the trainers’ bonus looks a forgone conclusion with Tony Gollan sitting 26-points clear of nearest challengers Toby Edmonds and Darryl Hansen.
Gollan is no stranger to winning TAB Summer Crowns bonuses.
He claimed the inaugural $500,000 Sprinters Bonus with Most Important and can win his second $50,000 trainers’ bonus in as many years on Saturday.
Gollan amassed 23 points on the opening day with wins in the Mode Plate (Outback Barbie) and Winning Rupert (Zoustyle), as well as a quinella in the George Moore Stakes (I’m A Rippa and Most Important).
He backed it up with a quinella in the Gold Edition Plate (Zoustyle and Outback Barbie) and a second in the Lough Neagh (I’m A Rippa).