Whyte has the rides to get back in groove
Every one of Douglas Whyte's nine-ride book is a winning chance, which should ensure a return to the top of the Jockey Challenge standings.
Whyte has endured a frustrating run of outs in the Jockey Challenge, going five meetings without topping the point score.
Last night the Durban Demon was a shortening $1.90 favourite, which isn't too ungenerous, given only one of his rides was at double-figure odds.
But even the 'outsider' of Whyte's rides, the John Size-trained Sapelli, is rated a good chance of upsetting favourite Smart Giant in the Chek Keng Handicap (1,800m).
In the previous race, the Ho Chung Handicap (1,000m), Whyte pairs up with consistent King Mossman. On a day with wide betting markets, Whyte partners what will be one of the few horses on the day under 5-1 in I Smell Money.
I Smell Money was a gutsy second last start, his first try on the all-weather track, and will benefit from a drop back to the extended mile.
Also boosting the South African's hopes are a pair of rides for Richard Gibson - Zezao (race one) and Mount Victory (race four).
It is Zezao's first start for Gibson, but Whyte has ridden the troublesome galloper before and has some insight into his unpredictable idiosyncrasies.
In-form rider Vincent Ho Chak-yiu was second favourite at $7 and Brett Prebble $8, but looming as the best value is Derek Leung Ka-chun at $12.
