James McDonald is on the brink of his first Sydney jockeys' title.

Trouble is, he has been there for weeks.

His cause has not been helped by a light book of rides at Randwick on Saturday, two of them at double-figure odds.

When Nash Rawiller left for Japan last month it seemed a near-certainty McDonald would clinch the premiership.

But a careless riding suspension and just one city winner this month has him in a precarious position.

Rawiller is clinging to a one-win lead with two city meetings remaining.

There is no question McDonald is keen and riding well.

He was twice narrowly beaten at Canterbury on Wednesday and lost a Warwick Farm race on protest at the start of the month.

I'm In The Money ($9), who runs in Saturday's TFE Hotels Great Weekends Handicap, is considered his best chance.

The Chris Waller-trained Reigning makes similar appeal in the fourth race at $9.50.

The horse has not won a race since November 2012 but did spend the subsequent year sidelined by injury.

He indicated another win was close with placings at his first two runs then finished down the track last start in a performance Waller said should be forgiven.

"He had no luck last start, he was posted wide and did that mid-race move," Waller said.

"I think he'll be very hard to beat."

If McDonald falls short on Saturday he will still have Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting, needing a double to claim the crown.

One win will result in the championship title being drawn for the first time in almost 80 years.

Otherwise, Rawiller will have bragging rights for the fourth time in the past five years.