With strong book of rides, Whyte tops the list again

There was no excess of generosity with odds makers last night for today's Jockey Challenge, but it's hard to argue with the mathematics of their assessment that champion Douglas Whyte being a HK$1.7 chance for the series.

Apart from having won the Challenge seven times since its inception in late April, Whyte has book of 10 rides on the 11-event card and it's a set brimful of chances.

Paul O'Sullivan has picked up Whyte for two rides and the pair has a formidable strike rate when they team up. The Durban Demon will take over on China Lujia in the fourth and Speedy in the sixth.

With upset results in two of the last three challenges - significantly, perhaps, at the city circuit the last two Wednesdays - punters will be looking to get back on an even keel this afternoon.

Whyte did not ride at Sha Tin last weekend due to his commitment to Armada in the Yasuda Kinen. The John Size-trained chestnut ran with distinction for second to the high-class Japanese filly Vodka in the final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge.

In Whyte's absence last Sunday, as well as that of premiership runner-up Brett Prebble, Darren Beadman was backed from HK$4.5 into HK$3.5 favourite and nailed the Challenge, though Zac Purton claimed he was a 'good thing beaten' as a result of interference to Rocket Force in the ninth race.

The early players only nibbled at the short odds offered about Whyte last night, with Beadman a firm second elect at HK$5.0 and Marco Chui Kwan-lai third at HK$9.0.