Johannesburg heads for Deauville Johannesburg, already the ante-post favourite for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Prix Morny Casinos Barriere at Deauville on Sunday. Aidan O`Brien`s juvenile - 6-1 with William Hill for the Newmarket Classic - has won all his four starts including the Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown last time out. The Ballydoyle colt, who will be ridden by Michael Kinane, is one of seven overseas challengers for the French Group One contest. O`Brien, who is bidding for a third success in the race in four years, also fields probable pacemaker Line Rider (Paul Scallan). Johannesburg`s presence has not deterred British stables and five raiders make the cross-Channel trip. They are Meshaheer (David Loder), Firebreak (Ian Balding), Berk The Jerk (Paul d`Arcy), Whitbarrow (Rod Millman) and Tumbleweed Charm (Brian Meehan). Meshaheer (Frankie Dettori) bids to add to his July Stakes tally while Firebreak (Martin Dwyer) and Whitbarrow also attempt to supplement recent wins in the French contest. Firebreak won the Prix de Cabourg over the course on his latest start, the form of which is working out well. Sandown Listed scorer Berk The Jerk (Pat Eddery) and Tumbleweed Charm (Brett Doyle) complete the British team. The four local runners are War Zone, Sforza, Dulce de Leche and the Prix Robert Papin victor Zipping. War Zone is unbeaten in two outings and the Andre Fabre runner has clicked into top gear. Holding Court and Marienbard respectively represent Michael Jarvis and Godolphin in the Group Two Grand Prix de Deauville over an extended 12 furlongs on the same card. Holding Court, the winner of the French Derby last season, bids to regain the winning groove under Philip Robinson. Marienbard (Frankie Dettori), successful in the Yorkshire Cup, drops back in trip after finishing fifth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Epitre, a proven performer at this trackand from Fabre`s in-form yard, is in top form and spearheads the domestic quintet. The latter is completed by Turbo Jet, Idaho Quest, Honorifique and Maximum Security. The Group Three Prix de Meautry over six furlongs sees John Dunlop`s Invincible Spirit bid to supplement the stable`s success last year with Three Points. Aidan O`Brien`s Freud (Kinane) and Tim Easterby`s Hot Tin Roof (Michael Roberts) also make the journey over for the race.
