Johannesburg leads O`Brien trio Johannesburg is one of three Aidan O`Brien runners declared for the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.The Norfolk Stakes winner is joined in the line-up for the six-furlong Group One contest by stable companions Line Rider and Wiseman`s Ferry.The latter finished a one-and-a-quarter-length second to Johannesburg in the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh last time out.O`Brien has won the last three runnings of the Phoenix Stakes with Lavery, Fasliyev and Minardi.Highdown and Twilight Blues are the two British challengers in the 11-strong field.Mick Channon`s Highdown finished sixth behind Naheef in the Champagne Lanson Vintage Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood last week.The Brian Meehan-trained Twilight Blues beat Highdown by one and a quarter lengths on his debut at Newbury in June and has since finished eighth of 20 behind Landseer in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.Fran Berry rides Highdown while Brett Doyle gets the leg up on Twilight Blues.Eddie Lynam has booked Johnny Murtagh for High Society, who was just over four lengths third to Johannesburg in the Anglesey.Later on the card, Bahamian Pirate (David Nicholls), Munjiz (Barry Hills) and Zilch (Richard Hannon) represent Britain in the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes.
