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Jockey championships aren't goals McNeil sets for himself, rather guides on how far he has improved year on year.

He finished 13th in the metropolitan championship last season with 20 metro wins. Going to Flemington, he's already steered 16.

"I think obviously [2019 is] the biggest [year in my career] and one that's been a breakthrough year for me," McNeil said.

"I want to say hard work [has been the difference] but I have a really good manager now.

"He's been a real asset to me and he's got me to where I am today, that's Reece Murphy.

"He's come on 12 months ago now, maybe just over 12 months. Things have just seemed to spiral up since we teamed up."

Such has McNeil's success been this season, if you had backed him in all 357 of his rides so far, you'd be ahead eight per cent on your investment.

None of those winners will be as memorable, however, as the one on Kings Will Dream.

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"It's sunk in, for sure. It was a pretty good moment," he said.

"Mum and dad got me a picture frame for Christmas, so it's up on the wall and it was obviously a career highlight for me."

There's no reason those winners won't continue on Wednesday.

In the Welcome 2020 Handicap, he partners with Yulong January, a horse looking for four straight wins.

"He's going really well, isn't he," McNeil said.

"He's been dominant so far at that trip, so I don't think they see any reason to change that.

"He's definitely a horse that's improved and they [Ciaron Maher and David Eustace] have placed him really well which has shown in his form. He looks like he's well placed again on Wednesday."

McNeil said the $20,000 yearling purchase was proving a better-than-average horse.

"He's the one I'm most looking forward to riding again. With the form he's in, hopefully we can continue to build that picket fence," he said.

"I think he's pretty versatile. It looks like on Wednesday the South Australian visitor might have some speed.

"I don't think [Yulong January] has to lead. I think he's pretty versatile but he seems to begin really well and put himself on speed and that's been his biggest asset this campaign."