Racing: Draws barrier to success

Richard Yuill has given up checking the barrier draw of any stable runner that is contesting a feature event - he knows what to expect.

Yuill made a dream start to his solo career as a professional trainer this season after a long association in partnership with master horseman Colin Jillings.

However, Yuill's dream season could have been a lot better if stable runners had not drawn wide in North Island feature events over the past two months.

"I have had horses in the Bayer Classic, Avondale Cup, Waikato Cup and in the second leg of the 3-year-old bonus series that have all drawn extremely wide and have run in the money," said Yuill.

In today's $200,000 Railway Handicap at Ellerslie, Yuill will saddle up proven performer Sedecrem in the Group One 1200m sprint feature.

Sedecrem has drawn barrier 18.

"It came as no surprise to me when I learned that Sedecrem had drawn wide as that really sums up the way things have fallen for the stable this season.

"There's nothing that can be done about it now and the horse is very fit and well and will handle any type of track that we're given.

"We've just got to hope that they go mad in front and the field breaks open a bit and that'll help our sprint finishing prospects.

"He races very well at Ellerslie and won in weight-for-age company over 1600 metres in his last start.

"He's freshened up nicely for this race and I know he'll be finishing a lot quicker than most in this field. "

Sedecrem is a back runner with a deadly sprint finish so a wide barrier draw should not prove too difficult.

Yuill surprised many punters after Sedecrem's last-start victory when he decided to set the gelding for the Railway as opposed to racing him over 1600 metres or further.

Sedecrem has a long list of placings in Group One sprints and is worthy of serious consideration in the Railway.

Yuill will start high-class 3-year-old Abbey Drive in the final event and is predicting a bold performance from the son of Zabeel.

"Abbey Drive is a very smart racehorse and although he did a few things wrong in his last start at Te Rapa I'm happy enough with the way he is training.

" He's a horse to follow and if he races as kindly as he did in his last start at Te Rapa he'll go a top race."

Abbey Drive has "Derby horse" written all over his expensive rump and should justify that judgment when he produces a top performance in the 1400m event.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY