ELLIS

Unlike Alan Ladd in the classic western, Shane is back and this time he means business.

The second generation jockey, son of '60s three-time champion Winston 'Nero' Ellis, Shane Ellis has decided to bypass Canada and ride full time at Caymanas Park this season, a move that should pay rich dividends for him.

Already he is the leading jockey this season with 21 winners, thanks to a sparkling four-timer on Saturday comprising SMOOTH DUDE, PITTACUS, ROYAL IMAGE in the Sir Howard Stakes and RAMPAGE at 11-1 in the Eros Trophy co-feature over 1400 metres.

Although favoured in many quarters to win a second championship this season, Shane said at this stage he is focused on other matters.

"Yes, I would like to win the championship again. But my decision to ride full time in Jamaica this year has nothing to do with the jockeys' championship.

"I'm here to ride as many winners as possible and is looking forward to win the big races ... like the classics. If the championship comes at the end of the year, it will be a bonus for me," said Ellis who won the title for the first time in the year 2000 with 90 winners.

Ultra-talented

On Saturday, Ellis teamed up with Anthony Nunes' ultra-talented 3-y-o colt ROYAL IMAGE to win the Sir Howard Stakes over 1200 metres by the resounding margin of 15 lengths. Indeed, he was so impressed by ROYAL IMAGE that he believes the son of Image Maker has classic winner written all over him.

"When he ran second to Mr Skill as a two-year-old last December, I told the trainer this is the horse I am going to win all the classics on.

"I'm not afraid of Commander Zero or The Real Stream. Yes, they are talented three-year-olds, but Royal Image is very versatile and I have every confidence in him", added the 34-year-old jockey, who started riding in 1996.

Ellis, who rode his 500th winner (Jack N DBox) at Caymanas Park on January 30, is once again working in tandem with top agent Donovan Wilson and the sky's the limit as they are concerned.

No stranger to winning classic races, Ellis won the Derby aboard the filly AWESOME POWER in 2001, the Oaks aboard P.W'S CHOICE and LATONIA in 1997 and 2004, respectively, and the 1000 Guineas with RAY OF HOPE and LATONIA in 2000 and 2004.

He also won the Superstakes aboard PITTACUS in 2003 and teamed up again with the same horse to win the sixth race for the Omar Walker Trophy on Saturday.

PITTACUS is still trained by 'Baba' Nunes, who provided the jockey with three of his four winners on Saturday.

A product of the Jockeys' School, Ellis is unofficially the stable jockey for the powerful Nunes stables. And that's a plus in his favour.

- O.C.