Racing: Derby hopeful faces must-win challenge

Creating a winning gap at his last start hurt Gallions Reach's Mercedes Derby chances. Picture / Greg Bowker

It won't be the richest race Richard Yuill wins this season - but it will be one of the Pukekohe trainer's most satisfying.

Victory in the Radio Network Stayers' R76 2100m at Ellerslie today will keep Gallions Reach in the frame for the newly positioned Mercedes Derby on the same course on March 4.

And a win also validates for Yuill just how absurd the horse's last start relegation for creating a winning gap at Avondale last month really was.

Fellow Derby hopeful Stabinthedark, who suspended rider Mark Hills muscled out of his way aboard Gallions Reach that day, is a rival again at Ellerslie.

"I just can't for the life of me work out how he [Gallions Reach] lost that Avondale race - it was a pathetic decision," said Yuill.

"He just won too convincingly at the end."

The relegation puts Yuill in a must-win situation today if Gallions Reach is going to make the Derby field in a little over three weeks.

Yuill believes Gallions Reach simply won't have enough stakemoney to make the final line-up if he runs second in his first middle-distance test.

"Being relegated cost us a start in the Waikato Guineas and may even now cost us a run in the Derby because of the prizemoney situation," he said.

Yuill, however, is confident that with the right breaks new-rider Lisa Cropp will keep his Derby hopes alive a little after 5.30pm today.

He's targeted the 2400m feature since Christmas and purposely kept the pressure off Gallions Reach.

"I think he will win this one - I wouldn't like to pick one to beat him," said Yuill of today's crucial assignment.

"Stabinthedark is the biggest danger, but this horse was far too superior last time."

If Gallions Reach wins, as expected, Yuill is likely to look for another grade-race victory against the older horses to clinch a Derby start.

He's reserving the Championship Stakes at Ellerslie on February 18 for his main Derby chance, Black Panther, and possibly also Abbey Drive, who lost rider Scott Seamer early in the Waikato Guineas at the weekend.

"He [Abbey Drive] has come through the race okay but probably will need another one before the Derby," said Yuill. "It could be the Championship Stakes, or back to a grade race, but at the same time I wouldn't be scared to run him in the Derby without another run."