In-form McGillivray to bid for top spot

In-form jockey Matt McGillivray is rapidly establishing a claim to being heir apparent to throne left vacant by Jeff Lloyd as Queensland’s top jockey.

Lloyd will retire on Saturday with 93 Group One wins and four metropolitan premierships under his belt.

There is no obvious contender to take his place although Robbie Fradd, Jim Byrne, Michael Cahill and Brad Stewart all have claims.

However, they are well into their careers with Stewart the youngest at 42.

It leaves a perfect chance for McGillivray who rode his eighth feature race winner for the season on Havasay in the Grafton Ramornie on Wednesday.

McGillivray, 26, rode his first Group One winner on Winning Ways in the Queensland Oaks in May.

In all, he has ridden 442 winners including 13 in stakes races.

He is sixth on the metropolitan premiership with 37 winners but can expect to get the support of more of the big stables next season.

McGillivray had an up-and-down early career but is now married with a young son and focused on his riding.

He has a solid book of rides at Doomben on Saturday headed by Tambo’s Mate, the early favourite for the Happy Birthday Chris Mayne Handicap.