Michael Kinane could decide on a Leopardstown date with the exciting two year old Johannesburg when he faces into a probable Group 1 dilemma next weekend.
Both Minardi and King Charlemagne are being considered for Deauville's Prix Maurice de Gheest which is run on the same afternoon as Europe's first Group 1 race of the season for juveniles, the Independent Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes, over at Leopardstown.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed yesterday that the Norfolk and Anglesey Stakes winner Johannesburg, as well as the Railway Stakes winner Rock Of Gibraltar, are among those being considered for Leopardstown.
"I have not discussed it with Mick yet so I am not sure where he will be but I imagine it will be Leopardstown," O'Brien said. "King Charlemagne and Minardi are possibles for the Maurice Du Gheest over six and a half furlongs. Minardi has been fine since his last race and is working well," he said.
The black type action this afternoon is at Cork which features the Listed Turtle Island Platinum Stakes over a mile. Ballydoyle is represented by the former decent two year old, Van Dantzig, who runs in Anne Marie O'Brien's colours, but the preference is for Avorado.
Trainer Jim Bolger won this race with the high class Dazzling Park two years ago and although Avorado was disappointing behind Sheer Tenby in the McDonogh at Galway, he should stay too well for Caumshinaun and One Won One.
Royal Jubilee beat the subsequent Killarney winner Backcraft in a maiden at Dundalk and off 80 will be fancied to continue John Oxx's recent good run in the mile and a quarter fillies handicap.
Dermot Weld's Galway form can stretch far enough south to allow Whistle Down, a head second to Giants Causeway's brother Roar Of The Tiger on his debut, win the clash with the other Danehill colt, Toreador, in the opener.
Significantly, Kinane has overlooked the Listed charms of Cork for two rides at Naas. Love Me True again tries to pick up a valuable winning bracket in the mile maiden but the 105 rated Flying Knight could deny her again.
Kinane's other Ballydoyle ride is on the Deputy Minister colt Camp David in the seven furlong maiden and Kinane's presence alone on the newcomer will be enough to make Camp David a short price favourite.
Vlatva's rating in the opening apprentice maiden may be flattering but Catherine Gannon's mount must still have a major shout and Helen Bach could be the answer to the mile handicap.
Lynda Ramsden is to seek legal advice before deciding whether to appeal against the #1,000 fine she picked up at Doncaster on Saturday.
