Thirteen-times champion Douglas Whyte might not be looking a threat to Joao Moreira for this season's premiership, but he isn't going quietly either and made up with an old ally as a treble yesterday keeps him hot on the heels of reigning titleholder Zac Purton.
Whyte and trainer Tony Millard fell out over Ambitious Dragon's Champions Mile defeat in May 2012, and Penny Lane was just the third time the two have combined since.
One was a leg of the International Jockeys' Championship, with a random draw, and the other was Tonyboy earlier this month when Whyte replaced an indisposed Zac Purton.
"Look, it's fantastic to be back riding for Tony again," said Whyte.
"He presented this horse in great form and it was a pretty easy job for me. The horse was able to put himself into the race outside the leader and then he just kept wearing away to get the better of the leader, who did have a claim. I thought Penny Lane came to the race with the best form and that was how it worked out."
Whyte has had a closer association with Follow The Wind's trainer, David Hall, and the gelding did a good job to score after being part of a very strong lead pace early.
The other three horses who went with him finished in the last three positions over the line and Follow The Wind had a good weight to carry.
"His last two have put the writing on the wall, David set him for this and the horse began well today which he doesn't always do," Whyte said. "He is feeling good and feeling free in his action at the moment and I think he put himself in the race early today just because of that."
Whyte topped his day off with a third win on Luger in the final event that took him to 43 wins at the halfway mark in the season, 29 off Moreira's incredible pace at the top but still hanging around nipping at Purton in second spot.
