Winners at the past two Sydney midweek meetings have boosted the fortunes of Goulburn trainer Danny Williams.

Just a few months ago, Williams was flat on his back and battling to keep his stable running after leaving a new position as foreman at Hawkesbury for Tony McEvoy.

In February, the trainer was badly injured when a young horse he was riding reared and Williams suffered a broken pelvis, internal bleeding and torn ligaments.

On Wednesday, he celebrated the win of Istanbul, a week after Bag Of Nickels won at Canterbury.

"Things are going really well now," Williams said.

"When I went back to Goulburn I only had four horses. Things were tough.

"Then I got a horse from Istanbul's owner June Baker and now she's my main client and it's been fantastic for my return.

"I've got around 24 in work and six for June. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have bounced back so quickly.

"The accident was a setback. Essentially my pelvis got cut in half.

"I had to have two operations but am feeling pretty good now."

Istanbul ($5.50) came from last on the turn to win the TAB Rewards Plate by a neck from the favourite Waltzing Willie ($2.60).

The Williams-trained Van Halen was another three-quarters of a length third.

"I scratched Istanbul from Goulburn yesterday because the track was a bit softer than I wanted for him," Williams said.

A riding double to James McDonald extended his premiership lead over Hugh Bowman to 5-1/2 with the latter missing Wednesday's meeting due to illness.

One of McDonald's wins was aboard Campania who was originally to be ridden by Bowman who is expected to be fit by Saturday when he rides Generalife for Godolphin in the Doomben 10,000.

McDonald is the reigning Sydney champion but is planning to go to Europe after the Brisbane winter carnival leaving the riding title to be fought out between Bowman and Blake Shinn.