30-05-07

Eddie Ahern believes his Derby mount Strategic Prince has a couple of qualities that could test Authorized in the Vodafone Derby on Saturday.

Like the hot favourite's jockey Frankie Dettori, Ahern is seeking to win the Epsom Classic for the first time. He has just had the two attempts, while Dettori has endured 14 failures. Ahern would not swap his mount for anything else, however, as he has the utmost faith in Paul Cole's charge.

"When you are racing against another horse you always try to find his weaknesses. One is that he (Authorized) might not stay and another is that he might not handle the track," said Ahern. "I'm sure my horse will stay and he'll definitely handle the track."

He added: "If you took Authorized out - he is an excellent horse with two Group Ones under his belt - the race is opening up.

"Stamina won't be a problem for my horse.

"The ground is going to be soft or good to soft, which will probably be like the day he ran in the Dewhurst when he was third.

"He's probably better on fast ground but he's gone well on soft ground so it's fingers crossed," Ahern told At The Races.

Lucarno is set to take his chance after trotting up at Newmarket on Saturday for his second success in three weeks.

However, connections are still on the lookout for a jockey as Jimmy Fortune, who has partnered the John Gosden-trained colt to both wins, is suspended.

"The horse has done very well and the plan at the moment is to run but we have no news of a jockey yet," said James Wigan, adviser to owner George Strawbridge.