He's come agonisingly close to cracking three figures in the past four years.
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But Brendan Ward is well on his way to surpassing 100 winners in a season for the first time in his career after the veteran hoop continued his stellar campaign at Canberra's synthetic Acton track yesterday.
Ward guided home his 92nd and 93rd victories of the 2011-12 premiership, moving him up to a tie for equal third in the NSW standings.
It moves him level with his career high of 93 winners set two years ago.
And with about 16 meetings to go before the July 31 cut-off, Ward knows this is his best opportunity in a decade-long professional career to pass the ton.
''This is my best season ever, so I'm really pleased. Passing the ton has been my goal for the past five seasons, I've just been falling short in the 90s,'' he said.
''I've just been getting on quality horses and have been consistent through the season.''
Ward rode 91 winners in 2008-09, followed by seasons of 84 and last year's haul of 93.
He won't be changing his attitude now he's getting close to the milestone.
''It's just a matter of staying relaxed and calm and not thinking about it,'' he said.
Ward's first victory came in the second race on the card when he guided $3.60 favourite Via Facile home by a neck in front of Lilly in Love in the 3YO and Maiden Plate (1080 metres). He doubled his tally by launching Natch Catch ($6) for Canberra trainer Nick Olive down the back straight to overhaul You're Canny by a half-neck in the Open Handicap (1280m).
