Talented apprentice Patrick Moloney has every reason to smile when he looks at the Melbourne jockeys' premiership.
Moloney has made a flying start to the new racing season, notching four metropolitan wins in the past two and a half weeks to be joint leader of the premiership.
And while he knows his position at the head of the standings alongside three-time premier jockey Luke Nolen won't last long, he will get the chance to try to build on his impressive run with three rides at Sandown on Wednesday.
Moloney's rides at the midweek meeting are Samapinga for Clinton McDonald in the New Zealand Bloodstock Handicap (1300m), This Moment who has won her past three starts in Tasmania, and last-start Sandown runner-up Dashing Shadow.
The apprentice's recent city wins included a Flemington double last Saturday week and a six-length success on import Pakal at Caulfield last Saturday.
"It's unbelievable," Moloney said of sitting atop the Melbourne standings after winning on Pakal at Caulfield.
"It won't last long but I'll take a photo of it while I can."
Moloney is the son of Caulfield trainer Gerard Moloney and grandson of Jim Moloney who prepared the great sprinter Vain.
The 19-year-old is aware his opportunities are likely to soon dry up in town as the big-name riders strut their stuff during the spring, but he is focused on continuing improving as a rider and making the most of any opportunities that come his way.
"Spring carnival time comes around and there's obviously not many claiming races for myself so I won't be thrown any opportunities I wouldn't think at this stage of my career," he said.
"So I'll just go and practice my craft in the bush and hopefully come summer time I'll be back here (in town) with the three kilos (claim)."