Racing: Hex on Black Panther gives Walker the jitters

Peter Walker is a little worried Waka Nathan will be at Ellerslie tomorrow to watch Black Panther, the horse they jointly own.

The $35,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance is a must-win race for Black Panther to keep alive his chances of landing the $100,000 triple crown bonus which will culminate with the $150,000 Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Obligations to the Grand Slam tour meant the rugby legend Nathan was not at Ellerslie two weeks ago when Black Panther stylishly won the first leg of the series.

That is not unusual. Nathan was at Paeroa when Black Panther won his first race as a 2-year-old last season, but has not been able to watch either of the subsequent winning performances by the horse that carries his nickname and is on the verge of stardom.

"I couldn't get a flight to Hastings when he won there in the early spring, then I did get to Te Rapa when he finished only ninth," said Nathan. "I was already overseas when he finished third at Te Rapa and was still missing when the win came at Ellerslie."

Black Panther looked one of New Zealand's potential 3-year-old staying stars when he cleared a pocket late then powered to the finish to win two weeks ago.

"I was in Scotland and didn't even get the chance to see the race on the internet or listen to it live.

"A mate from Wellington who was on tour, told me on the Sunday morning that he'd won."

The way Black Panther finished the 1600m of his last assignment was evidence he will be suited by the 2000m this time.

Black Panther was entitled to be beaten in that race. America's Cup established what looked like a winning break at the same time as Grant Cooksley looked to be having trouble extracting Black Panther from behind a group of horses, although Cooksley claimed he was never greatly concerned.

When Walker told Cooksley the race had given him a near heart attack, Cooksley said: "He was always going to win."

"That's alright for you, you're on his back, I'm in the grandstand watching," came the reply.

There is plenty of emerging talent engaged this time, but America's Cup still looks the horse to beat.

Black Panther beat America's Cup under difficult circumstances over an unsuitably short distance last time and unless the favourite strikes more bad luck this time he should prove too smart.

Walker is delighted the club, which he is a director of, has put the running rail back in to 11.5m out from its true position after it was out 14m for Black Panther's victory two weeks ago.

The wider the rail the skinnier the racing surface, which almost always assists on-pace runners and inconveniences back runners like Black Panther.

"There were riders saying it was a bit tight on the 14m setting, so I'm pleased its gone back in."

Nathan has had the occasional winner through the last couple of decades of dabbling in racing.

In 1982 On Deposit paid $24 when winning at Te Rapa, but Nathan missed backing it through being in hospital.

"It was when trifectas were first introduced and On Deposit was one of the first big dividends - it paid more than $7000. I've been trying to capture that big one ever since."

With Black Panther's form he won't give Nathan that tomorrow.