Sportspeople are known for their ultra-competitive nature but Canberra trainer Nick Olive says he would rather draw the ACT trainers' premiership with Keith Dryden than win it himself.
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Olive is currently one win ahead of the Dryden-Scott Collings union as parties converge on Thoroughbred Park for the final time this season on Friday.
Despite on being on track for his first trainers' premiership since 2014, Olive said he wouldn't begrudge Dryden a win after enduring a year from hell.
Earlier this year Dryden lost jockey Riharna Thompson after a freak riding accident saw her suffer critical head injuries.
The loss shook the entire Canberra racing community to its core and Olive said he was hoping honours could be shared in an act of solidarity.
"To be honest with you I'd rather draw with Keith and Scotty," Olive said.
"Keith's had such a tough year with Rhiarna passing away so part of me really wants to see Keith win it. Obviously I want to win it as well so a draw would be the best outcome."
Even to draw the title would be a remarkable achievement after a slow start to the year left Olive certain he would miss out yet again.
The six-time winner was as many as 10 wins behind at one point but an amazing mid-season revival has him in the inside running to claim that elusive seventh title.
"To be honest I didn't think we had the firepower to win the premiership but we've just had a really good back half of the season," Olive said.
"Mid-season we were way behind and things have really fallen into place."
Olive has a total of 10 horses entered and while he remained coy about their chances, he did highlight Underoaf [race 3], I am Kalani [race 8] and Let it Roll [race 4] as the ones to watch.
As well as deciding the trainers' premiership, Friday's meet will also determine the jockeys' title with Brendan Ward and Matt Cahill currently equal on wins.
Ward will be riding Olive's Undaoaf and Turbo Bundy [race 6] - as well as a number of horses for Dryden-Collings.
It all points to a frantic final day and Olive hopes Ward can clinch the jockeys premiership to cap off one of the closest seasons on record.
"Wardy's been with us ever since he came to Canberra so it's been a long-term partnership," Olive said.
"He's obviously gunning for the title against Matt Cahill so a big day for him as well."
