Top trio hard to separate in Whyte's absence
In the absence of perennial champion Douglas Whyte, today's Jockey Challenge sets a new benchmark for wide-open competition, and even the Jockey Club oddsmakers were at a loss to separate the top contenders when the markets were issued last night.
Five jockeys were listed at odds of 7-1 ($8.0) or under, with three equal favourites at $5.0 - Brett Prebble, Olivier Doleuze and Howard Cheng Yue-tin. That trio is only a small margin ahead of Darren Beadman ($6.50), with Matthew Chadwick attempting to land the Challenge for a fifth time at just $8.0.
Friday's upset Jockey Challenge winner, Mark du Plessis, has only three rides on the 10-event card and has been grouped with fellow jockeys in the same boat under 'Others'.
The boys behind the pricing are absolutely right - separating them is not easy at all. Doleuze has the luxury of numbers, having rides in all 10 races and plenty of chances for minor points, with a couple of strong winning chances in Stilton ($68) and Top News ($52).
Prebble looks to be on a winner in race two with short-priced favourite Legend ($21), but will then rely on quantity rather than quality, with Always Giggle ($80) and Gouf ($72) looking other good hopes.
Beadman looks the biggest risk. Apart from his 'free kick' with Fortune Haven in the third race, he lacks the numbers and it's not hard to fame arguments against his later mounts, Ever Beauty, Elite Sixty-Six and Packing Supreme.
