The jockeys' championship may not be at the forefront of his thoughts these days but Douglas Whyte is likely to land a couple of good winners before the end of the season judging by yesterday's early morning trials action at Happy Valley.
The Jockey Club decision two seasons ago to have a limited number of trials at the city track each season has paid off handsomely and there was no shortage of owners and interested spectators in attendance yesterday.
And Whyte's mount Brilliant Attorney, trained by the white-haired mentor from Perth, Bruce Hutchison, gave an impressive display in the second trial of the morning to post the easiest of victories.
'I never like to get carried away by wins in trials because they don't have to try. But he stretched out well, which was important, and he was in this to be tested. I think he has come through it all right so that means I can get one really good race into him before the end of the season,' said Hutchison.
Whyte was clearly intent on giving Brilliant Attorney a worthwhile trial and wasted no time in kicking him along and into the lead. The trial was over 1,200 metres and the South African rider was happy enough to give them something to chase . . . which was all the rest of the field could do.
A good kick at the top of the Valley straight and Brilliant Attorney had gone beyond recall, leaving Born Dragon, Good Friends and Courage Star to scrap it out for the minor placings.
Two Ivan Allan-trained intended runners came out of the fifth and final heat leaving just four to go to post with all eyes on the David Oughton-trained Indian Road.
