Australian jockey Zac Purton accepts there are roadblocks to progressing any higher than third or fourth in the jockeys' championship, but with rising star Little Bridge and ageing legend Sacred Kingdom he is hoping to open up a different avenue to success.
Third to Douglas Whyte and Brett Prebble in the two terms prior, Purton was pipped for that placing by Darren Beadman on the final day in 2010-11.
He is comfortable with his ranking - and his improved win tally each season - but realises the current landscape means he has limitations.
'Without the backing of one of the big four stables, I have to accept that third or fourth is as well as I can do,' said Purton, who rode 53 winners last season.
'I pick up a winner here and there for everyone at different times, but Dougie has John Size behind him, Brett has Caspar Fownes and Darren Beadman has John Moore.
'The bulk of Tony Cruz's rides last season went to Matt Chadwick, or Gerald Mosse when Matty was on the sidelines. There's nowhere to get a foothold with those yards so, with that in mind, I've been happy with third and fourth. What I have tended to lack though is a big headline horse,' he said.