Douglas Whyte has bagged a treble at each of the past three meetings to run away with the Jockey Challenge on each occasion with an incredible six consecutive wins at Happy Valley through the week. Whyte rode the final three winners at the Sunday meeting held at the city track, before bursting clear early in the Wednesday night Challenge with the first three winners to wrestle the premiership lead from Brett Prebble, who resumes from suspension today. The Durban Demon is listed as $2.70 favourite and will once again take a power of beating with a strong book of 10 rides and every hope of claiming yet another brace of wins. Darren Beadman and Prebble are equal second picks at $3.80 each. Matthew Chadwick, $10, and Zac Purton at $15 also have claims, but will need more than their share of luck to topple Whyte. Gold Rush and Hussler give the perennial champion hoop a terrific chance at notching early points, before he takes the gun mounts on last-start winners The Rifle, Tremendous Add, Entrapment and Absolute Hedge through the middle of the programme. Whyte is sticking with the best of the youngsters in the two Group One's and it wouldn't surprise to see him pop-up in the finish of either race with Brave Kid or Derby winner Super Satin. Taverner and Moonwalk provide a strong finish to his book in two open final races, but should help him round out another successful afternoon before he begins his four-meeting suspension tomorrow.
