Paul Harvey continued his outstanding form in the saddle when he booted home a double at Ascot on March 16, winning with Black Tycoon and Young Lionel from only three rides.
Harvey has won eight of his last 11 races and his winning strike rate for the season stands at 27 per cent from 242 rides (66 metro and provincial victories).
His main challenger William Pike has a 17 per cent strike rate from 449 rides (with 74 metro and provincial wins), including a winning double on Dan Morton’s pair Coughlin’s Law and Galiletto.
In the metropolitan jockeys premiership tussle Harvey leads Pike 45.5-42.
As good jockeys usually have around ten per cent winning ratio of rides the effectiveness of the top pair is clearly illustrated.
Harvey has certainly earned a holiday but unfortunately for him he had an 18 day one imposed on him by the stewards for interference caused on Black Tycoon.
The Parnham family inevitably find the winners circle each meeting and the family that works together managed to win together with Dark Rock in the fifth race.
Trainer Neville Parnham knew he was safe when jockey son Brad slipped the field on the home turn on the pacemaker and held a comfortable lead to the line.
The top trainer would have been encouraged by Even Astar (Chris Parnham) running back into form with a rattling good second behind Young Lionel, after being last on the corner.
This followed a third from a similar rearwards position at her previous start.
Parnham’s change of tactics on the ghostly grey mare has resulted in her running better when off the pace early. In her four other trips this campaign she has compounded after racing at, or near, the lead.
Even Astar won three races as a 3year old, including the listed Burgess Queen Stakes on October 30, 2010 –her last win.
Owner Greg Maclou had been contemplating sending his now 5year old Kendel Star mare to the breeding barn this year.
The other member of the Parnham jockey trio, Steven, currently in equal third on the metropolitan jockeys premiership (with Troy Turner), did not ride a winner. His best effort was on Black Magic Miss who rattled home late to run third behind stablemate Dark Rock.
17.3.13