Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Showtime keeps Durban Demon Hot

Thank God for Showtime was Douglas Whyte’s summary of a day that promised to wrap up a 10th straight jockeys’ championship, but left the door unlocked - if not necessarily wide open - for arch-rival Brett Prebble as he seeks a first crown.
A memorable battle has seen fortunes turn and turn again, with Prebble leading most of the season, then headed by Whyte in April, before taking the lead again in May, before he looked like he had settled it, going nine clear after his record-breaking six timer at Happy Valley in Hong Kong last month.
But Whyte has clawed his way back to the front, led by two wins at the start of Sunday and made it three after the John Size-trained Showtime took the first.
Most thought the Durban Demon would wrap up the title at any moment, but the four hot favourites he had later for Size failed to turn up, his other well-backed runners weren’t good enough and that left Whyte with a single win.
Prebble replied with Sounds Excellent for Manfred Man Ka-leung and the status quo was maintained.
“I’m not holding my breath for it but it is nice to still have a sniff,’’ said Prebble.
Three in a row
“Two behind and eight races to run - it’s not easy but I still have half a chance and it has to be good for racing that we will take it right down to the last day, maybe even the last race of the season.’’
Punters dived into Whyte’s red-hot favourites all afternoon - Hot Shot in the second, Enhanced in the fourth, Enriched in the day's feature, the Sha Tin Mile Trophy, and then Sichuan Success a race later, but only Hot Shot managed a place.
“Thank God for Showtime today - who would have thought at the start of the season that he would win three in a row?’’ the Demon said. “But he’s been a typical John Size improver, learning and growing in confidence and I don’t think he’s finished yet either. That was a solid win today and he can go on with it after a break. As for the others, well, some of them, like Enhanced and Sichuan Success, are young horses who were heavily punished in the ratings and just weren't ready to live up to where they had been put by the handicapper at this stage.’’
Whyte agreed that tomorrow’s Happy Valley programme would be the winner for the title not having been decided on Sunday.
“There are still eight races and anything can happen. I’m comfortable being in front, but it’s a great finish and hopefully it’s going to give tomorrow at Happy Valley a real lift,’’ Whyte said.
Prebble and Whyte have been chopping and changing the ride on Sounds Excellent, but trainer Man said Prebble got the formula right yesterday.
“You can’t push this horse early or he doesn’t do things right but Brett got it exactly right today,’’ the trainer said. - South China Morning Post

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