A focused Stathi Katsidis is confident of edging further ahead of rivals Larry Cassidy and Jim Byrne when their battle for Brisbane's riding honours resumes at Doomben.Katsidis has his eye on his third jockeys' premiership with the demons of drug and alcohol abuse, and a broken leg, well behind him.Katsidis, who won two Group Ones during the Sydney autumn carnival, rode a double at Eagle Farm on Wednesday to take his tally of wins for the season to 70 - four clear of Byrne and Cassidy.He has ano
A focused Stathi Katsidis is confident of edging further ahead of rivals Larry Cassidy and Jim Byrne when their battle for Brisbane's riding honours resumes at Doomben.
Katsidis has his eye on his third jockeys' premiership with the demons of drug and alcohol abuse, and a broken leg, well behind him.
Katsidis, who won two Group Ones during the Sydney autumn carnival, rode a double at Eagle Farm on Wednesday to take his tally of wins for the season to 70 - four clear of Byrne and Cassidy.
He has another strong book of six rides at Doomben on Saturday and has nominated Blazing Hearts (Bunya Sports Hcp), Decibella (Goodna RSL Services Club Hcp) and Telesto Warrior in the Homestead Tavern Handicap as his best chances.
"I'm four clear at the moment and I've got another strong book on Saturday," he said.
"At present I just plan to keep the others at bay with only five meetings to go.
"But I won't be riding at the last meeting so I need to be well ahead of them come the final day."
Katsidis believes he can win the title if he can build a "five to six"-win lead in his next four meetings.
"I'm confident but I'm not relaxing just yet," Katsidis said.
Katsidis will miss the final meeting at Doomben on July 31 to ride AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.
Meanwhile, Katsidis maintained he had no intention of heading to either Sydney or Melbourne to further his riding career in the near future.
"I'm happy where I am at the moment and I'm getting the pick of the rides here," he said.
Katsidis is hopeful another haul of winners will go a long way towards wrapping up the title before he heads interstate.
"I'm glad to be riding Blazing Hearts. He's a very good horse and has been a little unlucky lately," he said.
"Decibella is flying and if she can back up after winning at Eagle Farm last week then she'll go very close.
"Telesto Warrior is also going well and should be hard to beat in his race."