The nation's premier reinsman Daryl Douglas last night piloted his 250th winner of the season.
The Bendigo-based driver brought up his milestone aboard four-year-old mare Dance The Breeze in the seventh race at Echuca.
She was the second leg of a double at the Frank Ryan Paceway for Douglas and his brother Glenn who featured as the trainer of both horses.
It's the fourth time the 33-year-old has surpassed 250 winners in a season, with his career best tally of 278 coming during the 2002-03 season.
What makes his achievement more remarkable this season is the fact that he missed the entire month of September last year owing to suspension.
A runner-up to Kerryn Manning in the past five Australian drivers' premierships, the hard-working Douglas is poised to claim his maiden title this season.
With the 2005-06 season drawing to a close on August 31, he currently enjoys a 42 win lead over Greg Bennett after piloting an early double at Horsham today.
Third-placed Manning is 15 wins in arrears of the New South Welshman on 195, with fellow Victorian Chris Alford fourth on 175 and Queensland pair Grant Dixon and Lola Weidemann tied for fifth place on 168.
In a season which has seen him drive in over 1600 races, Douglas's biggest win came courtesy of Sting Lika Bee in the highly sought Popular Alm Free-For-All.
