Racing: Trio all chances for standalone trainer

Forget it if you think Richard Yuill is nervous producing three Derby runners in his first season training on his own.

"I've forgotten how many horses I've helped produce into the Derby," said Yuill.

And he means that literally for the 18 years he trained in partnership with the Derby's most successful trainer, Colin Jillings.

We put him to the test: "Te Akau Nick ran third, Mount Street finished second, Sir Alberton finished third ... The Phantom Chance won of course."

There were few years Jillings and Yuill missed having a Derby runner, so Yuill is relaxed producing three of the first five favourites, Abbey Drive, Black Panther and Gallions Reach into tomorrow's $600,000 Mercedes Derby.

"All three are different types, they've got there from three different directions and all three warrant their place in the field."

Much of Yuill's relaxation comes from the knowledge that the stable has been able to stick strictly to the plan laid out for each horse.

"When Abbey Drive lost his rider Scott Seamer at Te Rapa last start there was the opportunity to push the panic button and give him another race, but we didn't want to right from the start and we didn't."

"Before Christmas Abbey Drive wasn't going to settle or stay, but then at Trentham he got back last and stormed into it and we saw signs that he was going to stay."

Yuill believes Black Panther has proved himself by racing only at the top level right through.

"Whereas Gallions Reach has had to come through the grades."

Yuill said he won't be giving his riders strict instructions.

"I don't mind where Abbey Drive settles in the field as long as he's relaxed.

"I'd like to see all three horses moving away from the rail at the 600m because, without naming them, there'll be a few runners who will be dropping back because they're not going to see out the 2400m."

Yuill rates Wahid then Congrats as the dangers to his trio.

"If you don't rate Wahid the danger is you're reading the wrong racebook.

"In his last three races no horse has got past him, although Abbey Drive might have at Trentham, who knows."

Yuill won't pick one ahead of the other pair, but Abbey Drive seems to get the read-between-the-lines nod. "He's a three-quarter brother to Might And Power and if he can finish it off like his relative then he's got to be hard to beat."