Is the crown starting to slip? Supporters of multiple champion jockey Basil Marcus might be asking that question after fellow South African Douglas Whyte booted home yet another double yesterday to snatch outright lead in the championship.
The battle for riding honours has already developed into a two-man race and there are plenty of reasons to believe that Whyte could have the edge in the final two-thirds of the season.
Marcus may have the significant support of tearaway championship-leading trainer David Hayes. But Whyte, who is retained by Tony Cruz, is picking up those all-important quality outside rides. And when things are this tight, it is invariably those mounts that make the difference come the end of June.
Whyte has been bringing home plenty of winners for Marcus' old mentor, Ivan Allan. He is also getting good rides from Wong Tang-ping and an occasional one from John Moore.
The second of yesterday's victories came compliments of the Allan-trained Billion Win (2-1), who had a tough run in front and showed great fight to take the spoils in the Class Three, 1,600-metre fifth event.
A hallmark of his winning ways, Whyte did not panic when Jimmy K. H. Ting took on the favourite with Saint Tak.
