Racing: Wheel of fortune turns for Panther

Richard Yuill is happy to go through role reversals tomorrow.

He believes his luck has finally turned with Black Panther in the $100,000 Mercedes Championship Stakes at Ellerslie.

Yuill admits to a broad smile when he saw Black Panther draw barrier No 2 in the final lead-up to the $600,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie.

"Finally we'll be able to go around riding to a game plan rather than just dropping out the back.

"He's drawn so many outside barriers in big races that we've had few options.

"This time Wahid has drawn No 11 - they will have to make the decision whether they go forward or drop back."

Yuill intends using the No 2 gate.

"He won't be dropping out this time. I'm not saying he'll be ridden forward, but he'll definitely be holding his ground."

Yuill is happy with where he has Black Panther after his 1600m handicap win at Avondale, which followed a month off the scene.

"He's definitely in this with a chance, especially as many of the others have not fared as well as him in the barrier draw.

"I can't say he's bulked up with the 10 days he had out after the Guineas, but he's probably always going to be that slightly lean type of horse."

Black Panther finished second, beaten half a length by Sculptor, in the Guineas at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, finishing strongly after improving wide around the field on the home bend.

He has got to the finish strongly in both his 2000m starts and should be as suited as any of the opposition by the step up to 2100m.

Yuill decided to dodge this race with his other two Derby hopefuls Abbey Drive and Gallion's Reach.

"I considered running Abbey Drive after that Te Rapa debacle [losing rider Scott Seamer], but I've decided he's done enough to go straight into the Derby.

"He had three starts in January and I don't believe the Zabeels need to be going to the races every week."

Yuill is certain Gallion's Reach would not have made it to the Derby had it been run on its traditional Boxing Day date.

"He's been spoon-fed all his life - at the start of the season we never thought of him as a horse that would be ready for the race."