The odds were stacked against Brett Prebble toppling perennial champion jockey Douglas Whyte in the premiership last season and, despite the fact he came within two wins of doing so, not much has changed heading into this season.
Whyte has been the dominant hoop for the past decade, yet Prebble made him fight right to the last meeting to clinch his 10th consecutive jockey's title in July.
With more than 750 races this season, it is hard to predict how the premiership battle will pan out for the two riders, with factors like riding suspensions, injury lay-offs and overseas stints capable of dramatically changing the script from the tight duel we were treated to last season.
One thing is certain, Prebble's task will not be any easier. The Australian, who is renowned for his physical riding strength and affinity with the Happy Valley circuit, got off to a flying start last year thanks to a burst of winners for trainer David Hall.
The pair combined for 16 winners in the first half of the season (but only managed four in the second) which propelled Prebble to a 16-win advantage over Whyte before Christmas.
That early success, combined with the strong support from Manfred Man Ka-leung who had a career best year with 43 winners, was as useful to Prebble as the early season split between Whyte and trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong, which saw him pinch valuable winners away from his rival.