Matt the Master

With nine weeks of the season remaining, the TAB has waved the white flag and declared Te Akau stable jockey Matt Cameron the winner of the Jockey Premiership for 2013-14.

With 123 wins thus far, Cameron has a decided advantage over his nearest rival Mark Du Plessis (110) who has accepted an offer to ride from June 16 in Hong Kong.

TAB bookmaker Thad Taylor told NZ Racing Desk: “We've paid out on Matt. But should the unthinkable happen and Johnathon Parkes (104) get up and win, we'll still pay out on him as well”.

“One Matthew Cameron fan placed $40,000 at a $1.95 quote,” Taylor said. “He can now pop the corks early as just under $80,000 has landed in his account.”

Despite being ruled out with a knee injury following the Auckland Cup week in March, which allowed Du Plessis to sneak ahead, Cameron was back with vengeance to claim the lead and now has achieved a goal of winning the premiership.

“It doesn't feel as though it's over, because it's not,” said Cameron.

“So, while it is a relief there is still a bit to go.  It feels awesome to have won the premiership, but at the same time a bit different not to have to really fight for it until the end as has been the case in the last couple of seasons.

“The last two years have made me better and it was always going to be easier this time, no matter what.

“We put the foot down in the past month and the tactic certainly worked,” said Cameron. “Riding two Group One winners was the highlight, especially the Auckland Cup over two miles and the atmosphere surrounding the race.

“It's a great thrill every time I win in the Te Akau colours and a relief to know that I have got the job done for the team. I'm happy that they trust me to continue doing the job and there is always a great bunch of owners associated with the horses. They deserve to win races and it's great to be a part of it.

Cameron had finished second, and just three wins behind the winner, when notching 156 and 149 wins respectively in the past two seasons and his endeavours are to be well-rewarded with success this year.

“I can't remember a premiership that has been more deserved, after trying really hard to win it for the last two seasons,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“I think that of special significance was his ability to work through the injury that sidelined him for six weeks, and given that time off has shown how dominant he has been.

“I always pay special attention to strike rates, because it is a measure of a jockey's reliability and for him to ride a winner out of every five is quite unbelievable. It's an enormous effort over a long season.

“Matt has also won some of the biggest races this season and a classic example was his win in the Auckland Cup. On every level he's had another great season and it's a real credit to his discipline,” said Ellis.