Racing: Johannesburg has been given the green light to "run for the roses" in the Kentucky Derby.
The Breeders' Cup winner lost his unbeaten record on his first start of this season but will take his chance in America's most famous race alongside his stable companion Castle Gandolfo.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said yesterday: "It looks likely that both horses will go to Kentucky. I imagine that Michael Kinane and Jerry Bailey will ride them." The booking of America's most successful rider to pick up Kinane's discard for the May 4th classic indicates how seriously the Ballydoyle team are taking their first shot at the Derby.
No European-trained horse has won the Kentucky Derby. The closest to victory was the Clive Brittain-trained Bold Arrangement, who ran second to Ferdinand in 1986.
Last week, O'Brien expressed stamina doubts about Johannesburg, who has never run further than the mile of last October's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
"We know he stays a mile and you could see him cruising going into the last furlong. That's what will happen - he will either stay cruising or he won't," he said.
Castle Gandolfo won the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last year and easily scored on the dirt at Lingfield just 11 days ago.
"His performance on the dirt was very encouraging. He is tough and genuine and being by Gone West, the dirt should suit," O'Brien said.
Before that, however, the Ballydoyle team will travel to Newbury this Saturday when Maderno and Sahara Desert will run in the Group Three Greenham Stakes.
The 2,000 Guineas trial will represent a major leap in class for Maderno, a brother to the former champion juvenile, Fasliyev, who won his sole start to date at the Curragh.
Meanwhile, Barry Geraghty will keep the ride on Florida Pearl in next week's Punchestown Heineken Cup.
Florida Pearl worked well at Willie Mullins's yard yesterday morning, after which the trainer indicated Geraghty will ride the horse for just the second time.
"I've commented before that Florida Pearl can run better with a new jockey and Aintree won't have changed anyone's mind. But, generally, I'm happier if the pilot has ridden the horse before," Mullins said.
Alexander Banquet is also a possible for the Heineken if the going is not quicker than yielding.
Mullins will have an extensive team at Punchestown next week, including Adamant Approach who will go in the two-mile novice event on Tuesday rather than Friday's Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.
The latter is also a possibility for the Nicky Henderson-trained pair Geos and Landing Light.
The ground forecast for Fairyhouse's all-National Hunt card this afternoon is "firm" but that should not hinder the ex-English flat winner Steinitz in the opener.
Rule Supreme officially has 8lb in hand of the opposition in the novice hurdle and can go one better than a runner-up placing to Davenport Milenium last time.
