Lorne Kirlew

LORNE Kirlew believes he has a Triple Crown winner, TALENTED TONY K, in his barn and is already looking past next month's Derby, eyeing a high-powered clash with PRINCESS POPSTAR in July's St Leger.

"Of course, I guess PRINCESS POPSTAR will be in the St Leger. We'll have to see how she comes back," he said, showing respect to the unbeaten Horse of the Year.

Philip Feanny's PRINCESS POPSTAR hasn't raced since winning December's Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. She went lame while preparing for the Thornbird Stakes in March, suffering a pulled muscle at exercise.

"The way how I would approach her is to sit behind her and wait until she comes back," Kirlew said, envisioning a clash with the lightning-fast filly.

"She has good pace but I don't think she will stay 10 furlongs. I doubt her. She has good pace and big class, but I have class and my horse is a colt. I believe he can sit and pounce on her," he added.

Kirlew also confirmed Shane Ellis aboard TALENTED TONY K for the Derby. The trainer convinced the colt's owner, 'Jigzy Blade', to stick with Ellis, following victory in Saturday's Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup.

happy

"After the Governor's Cup, we spoke and he was happy with the ride, so we said let's work with him."

Ellis has won the Jamaica Derby twice - AWESOME POWER, 2001, and TYPEWRITER, 2012.

"Shane will be riding him in the Derby, it's confirmed," he said, adding that Walker has been informed of the change by the colt's owner.

Kirlew had long voiced his preference for Ellis, ahead of Omar Walker, who was previously booked by the owner, and was set to be flown in from Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg, Canada, where he started riding early this month.

Walker was aboard TALENTED TONY K for his four previous races, winning three, including last month's 2000 Guineas.

However, after Ellis nursed the colt to a narrow victory over fast-closing RELAMPAGO on Saturday, Kirlew was even more impressed and said he would be talking to the owner with a view to retaining the jockey for the June 14 Derby.

Though TALENTED TONY K just lasted home in the Lotto Classic, Kirlew is convinced his runner will stay the additional two furlongs of the Derby.