Even with all his headline-hogging group wins one scalp still eludes Shane Dye's career highlights reel - a victory for his long-time pal Lance O'Sullivan.
That explains why Dye, the fourth-ranked Hong Kong rider in their season just finished with 54 wins and $7.3 million in stakes, is throwing his
leg over two of O'Sullivan's maidens in the Matamata mud today.
Dye has helped out O'Sullivan before during his Hong Kong hiatus visiting family and friends in his old hometown.
This time last year the former Wexford Stables apprentice jumped aboard Our Kitty in a bid to put O'Sullivan on the trainers' board, just five weeks into taking over from brother Paul, who is now based in Hong Kong.
Our Kitty, however, could only manage a fast-finishing third that day for Dye, and O'Sullivan admits he's not holding out hope for much better today.
"If he rides Tropics right she could win, but really she's just a horse and the other one [Pirate Dancer] is just a learner,' said O'Sullivan, who has raced to seventh on the premiership with a debut 42-win season so far.
"When Shane rang asking to take rides I thought I could give him a winner with Sandosa, but he's injured himself so I've had to scratch him.
"I gave Shane the option to pull out after that, but he said 'No, I'll still ride for you'."
O'Sullivan also warns punters against getting carried away on his other entries today.
Opening highweight hope Endorse showed promise on debut, running third to stablemate Six Gun in similar company at Avondale on June 15.
But O'Sullivan said the Danasinga filly's work since hasn't hinted at the natural improvement you'd normally expect.
While Six Gun may be a last-start winner, O'Sullivan is cautious about a similar effort against race winners, which include half-brother Genghis.
Even at 80 per cent Genghis would stroll away with this race, but he's been jarred up so badly for so long, O'Sullivan isn't sure he's still anywhere near that.
"He wouldn't have won a pony sprint a month ago, but I'm hoping he can show improvement - if he does he can get some of the money."
