Aidan O'Brien gave his strongest hint yet that Johannesburg, who lost his unbeaten record at the Curragh last weekend, will be Kentucky Derby-bound on the first weekend in May. Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner finished second to Rebelline in Sunday's Gladness Stakes, and bookmakers immediately pushed out his price for the "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs.
He also has the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket as an option as debate continues over his stamina but O'Brien stressed that he would not be frightened to tackle the 10-furlong trip of the American Classic.
"He might have lacked a little bit of fitness but one thing Sunday showed is that he has not lost is his pace," said the Ballydoyle trainer today. Plans are open but it's very possible he will go to Kentucky - they can't all run in the Guineas. He loves the dirt and has that pace. We can always bring him back in trip later, for the July Cup. "
O'Brien confirmed that Kinane would be on board in America, and that the pair would be joined by stable mate Castle Gandolfo who will be ridden by an American jockey. But the latter would not run if Johannesburg did not make the journey.
O'Brien already has a strong fancy for the Newmarket Classic in the shape of Hawk Wing. "It's a dream but if we had a horse for the Triple Crown then Hawk Wing would be it," O'Brien said. "He could do anything and is bred to stay a bit."
High on the pecking order for the Epsom Derby is Racing Post Trophy winner High Chaparral who will reappear this weekend at Leopardstown in the Ballsax Stakes before tackling the Derrinstown Derby Trial and then on to Epsom.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
