Advertisement
Advertisement

It's hard to go past super Durban Demon

Douglas Whyte is shooting for five straight Jockey Challenge wins and it seems nothing can stop the Durban Demon's charge.

The South African was a dominant $1.85 favourite at the top of betting markets last night, courtesy of a nine-ride book featuring a couple of 'banker' types.

Even by his own lofty standards, Whyte is having an outstanding season, averaging a remarkable 28.4 Jockey Challenge points per meeting, up from 26.4 in 2010-11.

He seems to have stepped it up another gear, gathering an average of 33.2 points per meeting during a red-hot stretch, close to double his nearest competitor.

The John Size-trained Right Timing can make amends for his last-start blunder at the gates in race six, but he also teams up with the Australian trainer in the next two events on likely-looking runners. In race eight Supreme Jewellery has drawn the right part of the track (12) to be there when it matters.

In the last he gets a gun draw (three) for the consistent Size-trained runner I Smell Money, who tries the dirt after three straight placings.

Whyte also supplements his chances with rides for other stables - the Derek Cruz-trained Storm's Destiny loves the dirt and has drawn well, while David Hall's Danzulu (race five) will run a solid race.

Best-placed to challenge the favourite is Zac Purton, who was backed from $6.50 into $5.50 second favourite late yesterday.

Purton has seven rides and starts the 10-race programme with his two strongest hopes - Sparkling (race one) and Country Charm (race two). He also caps the day with in-form Fortune Winner.

Post