Racing: Johannesburg has been judged the best two-year-old ever trained by Aidan O'Brien, but the Ballydoyle trainer is keeping his cards close to his chest about whether the unbeaten colt will be aimed at Newmarket or Louisville in May.
The International Classification Board yesterday announced that Johannesburg is rated at 126 which puts him 4lb clear of the rest of his generation and 1lb ahead of O'Brien's 1999 champion juvenile, Fasliyev.
The Ballydoyle domination of the European two-year-old arena last year is reflected by the National Stakes winner Hawk Wing being rated on 122 along with the top filly Queen's Logic. The Dewhurst and Grand Criterium winner Rock Of Gibraltar is rated 119.
However, O'Brien declined to comment on Johannesburg's official rating as his best ever: "I never comment on that because I don't think it is fair to compare. Different years have different circumstances," he said.
He played a straight bat to whether the 2,000 Guineas or the Kentucky Derby will be the colt's classic target.
"Johannesburg is cantering away like all the others. You can never be sure how they will do after the winter but we're hopeful. Johannesburg has plenty of strength and scope and we're hoping things go well for him in the spring. We will see what the spring brings before deciding on plans," O'Brien added.
Johannesburg is an 11 to 4 favourite for the 2,000 Guineas with Paddy Power, who make him a 5 to 1 favourite for the Kentucky Derby. Both races will be run on May 4th.
However, the history of top two-year-olds in their classic year is not encouraging. None of the last six managed to win at Group One level as a three-year-old.
The other big Irish news was that the double-Derby and King George winner Galileo is classified at 129 which puts him 1lb behind the world's top-rated three year old last year, Point Given.
However, there is no question about who the best racehorse in the world right now is. The Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee, who was just pipped by Tiznow in the Breeders' Cup Classic, is rated at 133 and is being kept in training for next season. Tiznow has been rated at 128, which is 1lb higher than last year.
Other O'Brien-trained star three-year-olds of last season figure high in the rankings with the St Leger winner Milan rated 125 alongside the July Cup and Nunthorpe victor Mozart.
The Co Waterford-based trainer John Kiely can lighten the mood with Liss Rua at his local Tramore track this afternoon.
Kiely has lodged an appeal to the Turf Club against the €500 fine he picked up at Leopardstown at the weekend and the 42-day ban imposed on the horse Take Five.
However, Liss Rua can wind up today's meeting successfully for punters.
