Leading Hawkesbury trainer Scott Singleton is edging toward a first-time $1m prizemoney season. Singleton’s success with Adjective at Bathurst last Friday lifted him beyond $900,000 in his best season to date.

There are just over five weeks remaining before the season ends on July 31.

The five-year-old’s victory in the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1208m) provided Singleton with his 26th winner of the current racing year, highlighted by the biggest triumph of his 13-year career – a breakthrough Group 3 with Shazee Lee on his home track in the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) in late April.

Adjective ($2.90 favorite) humped his 62kg to wear down leader Art ‘N’ Ollie ($5), with jockey Jess Taylor taking an inside run in the straight and riding him vigorously to the post. It was Adjective’s fourth win – and he has also managed four placings – from a 20-start career.

This was the gelding’s fourth start this campaign, and Singleton’s decision to switch him to a country assignment after three earlier provincial outings proved decisive. It was a good day for Hawkesbury trainers at Bathurst with Tim Walsh also clinching a victory.