But he is cautious about getting off to a flying start at the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton which starts tomorrow.
Gillies (28) has three rides in the three jumping races on the card, including the Sydenham Hurdles and Koral Steeplechase, and is still looking back and wondering how he ended up on top with 14 jumps wins in the racing season which ended yesterday.
He missed the start of last season due to injury, which he thought would put paid to his chances of claiming the season premiership.
''I didn't think I would have a chance with missing August and September,'' Gillies said.
''The others had a jump on me but I was lucky with good horses, a good stable, and good people around me.''
In the Sydenham Hurdles, Gillies is on board the Kevin Myers-trained Sonny Ben, who looks a hurdler of considerable promise.
The son of China Cat won two races on the flat before his hurdles debut at Ellerslie on June 2. He then took care of Prologue at Hastings on June 28 to lose his maiden status.
But his two efforts so far over the hurdles have been on slow tracks, and Gillies is not convinced about the 5yr-old's capabilities in the deep ground.
''That's a bit of a query there about him. I suppose we will find out on Saturday but I'm a bit unsure,'' he said.
''I suppose you're going a bit slower over the jumps, so hopefully he can keep it together.''
One jumper who should relish the heavy Riccarton track is Beforunoit, who was a winner on a heavy track at Trentham on July 12.
That win - also over Prologue - came over 3000m and Gillies sees the extra 200m and a switch to the steeplechase fences as ideal for the son of Ekraar.
''It was a huge run after he nearly fell at the second-to-last fence [at Trentham],'' Gillies said.
''I`m really looking forward to riding him. I figure he will love the 4000m and steeples.''
Beforunoit has collected two other placings on heavy tracks to go with his Trentham win, and Gillies said the 5yr-old enjoyed it.
''He just keeps ploughing through it.''
Palemo is the class runner in the $30,000 Koral Steeplechase, but Gillies is conscious of the track possibly tripping up the Waikato and Hawke's Bay Steeples winner, who failed to fire at Riccarton last year.
''The steeplechase course at Riccarton will be good until you get to the straight so there will be a bit of a question mark with the track.
''He doesn't quicken up like he does on the better tracks, so he might be struggling a little bit to get through that ground when he comes through the last time.''
Gillies is unsure who he might be teamed up with for the Grand National Hurdles on Wednesday.
''I wouldn't know what I could be riding there.''
