Johannesburg set for Lingfield

The Aidan O`Brien-trained Johannesburg looks set to make a surprise reappearance in the unlikely surrounds of Lingfield Park next month, it was revealed today.

Unbeaten in seven starts as a juvenile, the son of Hennessy stamped himself a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby when running out an impressive winner of the Breeders` Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park, New York, in October.

He is also quoted as 9-4 favourite `with a run` by William Hill for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4th, the same day as the American showpiece, a race his owner Michael Tabor won with Thunder Gulch in 1995.

A proposed Stg#50,000 race over a mile on the Surrey venue`s Polytrack surface is reported to be the intended target for the colt on April 6th, Martell Grand National day.

O`Brien told The Daily Telegraph: 'This is a great opportunity to get a run into a horse like Johannesburg, indeed any horse being prepared for the Kentucky Derby or any other Classic race.

'At thistime of year, being able to run on a consistent, sound surface, whatever the weather happens to be, is most important.'

Tabor added: 'I think it is a great idea. The timing is ideal and it makes sense to keep Johannesburg on a safe surface for his first run of the year.'

Conditions of the race have yet to be announced but Ian Renton, director of racing at Lingfield`s owners Arena Leisure, described the proposal as an 'exciting prospect'.

O`Brien is no stranger to Britain`s all-weather surfaces, and in the past has Southwell to prepare the likes of Giant`s Causeway and Galileo for the Breeders` Cup.