Money Comes for Matt

Pressure on Matt Cameron to win the national jockeys' premiership was only coming from himself - that was till he heard a punter had placed a $30,000 bet on him with TAB bookmakers.

Premiership leader Mark Du Plessis had been the favourite in the TAB's premiership-winning jockey market before the bet, which has now seen Cameron firm into $1.70 favouritism.

"I probably didn't need to hear that," Cameron quipped. "But I hope that punter's bet comes in."

Cameron trails Du Plessis by one win, with Du Plessis leading the premiership on 108. But Du Plessis has opted to ride in Queensland this weekend, handing Cameron the opportunity to get his nose back in front.

"It helps not having to compete with Mark but I'll just be going out there and doing my thing," said Cameron, who was sidelined by a knee injury after Auckland Cup week in March.

"Having six weeks out was a bit of a setback but being runner-up in the premiership for the last two years has given me all the motivation I need this season.

“It's definitely on my to-do list. I definitely want to win the premiership."

Cameron has seven rides at Te Rapa tomorrow with several winning chances headed by Quintette and La Adelita, a duo trained by Jason Bridgman, for whom he is stable jockey.

"Quintette trialled up nicely behind Costa Viva and she's got a bit of class about her," Cameron said. "La Adelita has been working up huge. She's drawn out a bit which might make it a bit tricky but her work has been phenomenal."

Cameron's other Te Rapa rides are Cornelius, Piqueson, Bellino, Silver Bubbles and Addictive Habit, with the Karaka-based jockey optimistic about the chances of the whole book.

"Cornelius looks a really improved horse and comes into this race nicely with the trial under his belt," he said. "They all look fit and are racing in good form, so it would be nice to get a couple more winners on the board."

Credit - The Informant