Lingfield hoping for Johannesburg

Officials at Lingfield Park are still hoping to see Kentucky Derby hope Johannesburg run in Saturday`s Fosters International Trial Stakes.

The Aidan O`Brien-trained three-year-old is entered for the Stg£50,000 contest on the Polytrack but he is also in the Castlemartin/La Louviere Studs Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

O`Brien has seven horses among the 17 entered in total for the race and the Ballydoyle trainer`s team also includes the Alex Ferguson-owned Group One winner Rock Of Gibraltar, and Racing Post Trophy runner-up Castle Gandolfo.

Johannesburg seemed the most likely runner as he prepares for a possible tilt at the American blue riband but his Ballydoyle trainer has stated that his immediate target depends on the weather and he is going to leave his decision until later in the week.

Despite the doubts over Johannesburg, Ian Renton, director of racing at the track`s owner Arena Leisure, is thrilled by the standard of the possible runners.

'It looksvery good doesn`t it? I`m delighted with the entry and hope we see a wonderful field on Saturday,' he said.

'I`m hopeful of Johannesburg running, I think he (O`Brien) is keen on running at Lingfield but Aidan has said it`s dependant on the weather at the moment.

'We would love to see Johannesburg run but if one of the reserves, so to speak, will be there we`d be happy as there`s four Group One winners in there.'

He added: 'We are delighted with the entry and hopeful of having an absolutely fantastic race on Saturday.'