Jamaica’s horse of the year, Princess Popstar puts her unbeaten record of seven wins from seven starts, six in Jamaica and one at the Santa Rosa racetrack in Trinidad, on the line as she seeks Classic glory in the 84th running of the Trinidad Derby tomorrow. Princess Popstar due to an injury did not run in the four Classic races (1,000 Guineas, Oaks, Derby and St Leger) available to her in Jamaica.

With 11 starters declared for the Derby, nine of which are Jamaican bred, the event is being promoted by the Trinis as the ‘Clash of the Sexes’ between Princess Popstar and the Triple Crown seeking colt Momentum with both horses being trained by John O’Brien. The Jamaican Horse of the Year will be partnered in the Derby by Wilber Galviz.

Fate has played its hand and Brian Boodramsingh’s prayers answered, as the defending Trinidad champion jockey will ride Triple Crown hopeful Momentum in tomorrow’s Trinidad Derby at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

Barbadian Patrick Husbands was originally booked for the mount but Boodramsingh, who has partnered Momentum to his seven career wins –including two-thirds of the Triple Crown, the Easter Guineas and Midsummer Classic — will renew the partnership in the 2,000-metre blue riband on the local racing calendar.

Momentum’s trainer O’Brien said on Sunday: “Patrick Husbands is not coming. Brian Boodramsingh will ride Momentum in the Derby.”

O’Brien, speaking about his leading two contenders, Momentum (Western Classic – Sea Treaty) and Princess Popstar, ahead of the big day, said: “Both are fine and very well. A lot will depend on the tactical part of the race. What can I say that I have not (already) said?”

“Princess Popstar (Adore The Gold – Doc’s Paladin) came with an exceptional reputation and ran very well in her first race and could only improve. Momentum is a very nice horse and should give a very good account of himself. If he could beat her, I cannot tell her. I am very happy with both of them,” added the champion trainer.

“She has a lot of speed. How she reacts to somebody who goes out helter skelter is left to be seen. The way she has trained she will react. I could see Bigman Bas might want to take her on. I could tell you tactically, it would not be Momentum.”

O’Brien also spoke of his other pair in the $500,000 showpiece. Rocket Man (to be ridden by Emile Ramsammy) had bit of fever, and (his) white blood cell (count) went up. I do not know how it will affect him. He has trained nicely but not brilliantly. Justcallmebas went well in his work with Rocket Man. He will be fighting for the lower end of the purse.”

Asked about Oaks runner-up Raeven Renae, O’Brien opined: I cannot see her turning the tables on Princess Popstar as they both had the same quarantine problem, and she was fitter coming into that race, as she had a previous run before coming to Trinidad. And if she could not beat her in that race, I cannot see her beating her in this one.” Raeven Renae is trained by Anthony Nunes.