The Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership is going down to the wire, with only four victories separating front-runners Craig Williams and Blake Shinn as the season nears its end.

Both jockeys returned to city racing at Sandown last week, Williams following a suspension and Shinn coming back from injury. Williams closed the gap with a win at Sandown and another at Caulfield, reducing Shinn’s lead to four ahead of the July 31 finale.

Shinn has gone winless in the two meetings since his return, although he picked up a pair of second-place finishes at Caulfield. He holds seven rides at Sandown on Wednesday, while Williams is booked for all eight races.

Early markets suggest Shinn may have the edge on the day, with four of his mounts starting as favourites. Williams has three favourites but also takes the reins aboard the $26 outsider Artistic Genius in the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1300m).

Shinn’s shortest-priced mount is Ad Vitam, a $2.50 favourite in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1400m), while Williams’ strongest hope is Ten Deep, the $3.10 top elect in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m).

“If you ride more winners than Blake, you win and if he rides more than you, he wins,” Williams said of the duel. “We have unbelievable respect for each other, and we make each other better.”

“Even though we’re competing, we share ideas, we help each other improve — that’s what makes this rivalry special,” he added.

Williams said he’s confident about his upcoming rides both at Sandown and on Saturday at Flemington: “They’ve still all got to get there safely, turn up well and give me their best performances.”

Punters can follow the jockeys’ premiership battle and place their bets through top-rated bookmakers listed here.