But McIlwrick is quite pleased to be back in one piece after a hair-raising drive behind Rome last week.
The bit in Rome's mouth snapped with a lap to go, and the bridle came off the horse's head, leaving the reins around the chest and McIlwrick with very little control of the horse.
Yet, as McIlwrick explained rather matter-of-factly, he just sat there and ''enjoyed the ride''.
''It all worked out for the better in the end - and it's lucky that Brad [Williamson] came and helped me out,'' McIlwrick said.
''I would have to say to you it's probably not the scariest thing that's ever happened because there's nothing you can really do, so for some reason it just doesn't scare you or worry you.
''There have probably been scarier things in trackwork where you can see something's about to happen and it happens, whereas in that case you've got no reins, there's nothing you can do - you just sit there and enjoy the ride.''
McIlwrick has six drives tonight, including the 24-start maiden Snow Boy in race 1.
A quick glance at Snow Boy's form line - 22223 - tells the story: close but not quite.
The Grant Our Wishes 9yr-old was third behind Very Persuasive at Winton on Sunday after a second behind Splash Cola at Ascot Park the week before.
''He probably did a wee bit too much work sitting out parked, and those other two probably have a bit more of a future than him,'' he said.
''He went a really good race there against Splash Cola and she's a really nice up-and-coming filly, so I was pretty happy with him there.''
Snow Boy's manners could go a long way to his quest for trotting his way out of the maiden grade tonight.
''There are more off the unruly than off the front, so it should be a huge head start for him there.
''If something comes around, we might hand up to it - he's a better follower than a leader - but as long as he's there at the pointy end of the race, he should be pretty close.''
McIlwrick is back in the sulky behind Rome this week, and hopes luck is back in his corner.
''The last couple of runs haven't gone ideal - he galloped the start before and then the bridle came off [last week]. They seem pretty happy with him at home and in trackwork. If he sneaked in to a first-three placing, it wouldn't astound me.''
Blazing Bracelet (race 3), Apollo Mission (race 5) and Newmans Jet (race 7) are three other drives McIlwrick has for Invercargill trainer Steve Lock, along with Snow Boy.
McIlwrick rates Blazing Bracelet as the best of those, as long as the gelding gets the right run.
''If he gets all favours, he's got a really good 150m to 200m sprint and can really fly. But if he sees clear air 300m or 250m out, he won't finish off. It's pretty precise with him.''
McIlwrick may consider going forward with Jaspers Blue Jean in race 6, but would consult with trainer Eion Latimer on a plan.
