Jockey quartet Dan Ballard, Tamara Tincknell, Aaron Spradau and Tash Chambers are all a chance to take home the crown and an extra race for the final race day of the season has opened up the battle for supremacy.

Ballard admits if he could win the premiership it would be an extraordinary achievement given he missed two Mount Isa meetings while on his honeymoon.

Ballard is on 12 wins, but believes his nearest rivals Tincknell (12 wins) and Spradau (11 wins) are both big chances of claiming the premiership, considering the rides they have this weekend. 

“Tamara (Tincknell) has ridden strong all year, as has Aaron, so both deserve to be in this position,” Ballard said.

“Tamara has drawn a very strong book this weekend, with five honest horses.”

“Aaron (Spradau) only has the two rides but his horse Mahmentum will be hard to beat.”

Ballard is optimistic about his chances, drawing barrier one in three races, which he hopes is an omen.

With an additional race on the card, Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon released a statement regarding the Benchmark 55 Handicap (1000 metre) event.

 “Based on the Minimum Fields Policy, Racing Queensland has split the QTIS Bench Mark 55 1300m at Mount Isa this Saturday,” he said. 

“The race had 30 acceptances but Racing Queensland has split the race into two races of 15 horses with three emergencies in each. This is a much more viable investment with two lots of 15 horses and their connections now racing for the prize money in two separate races.”

Last week, a Class 6 race was scrapped from the Julia Creek program due to not enough acceptors under new race fields legislation by Racing Queensland.