Barbaric entices Johnson to pass on Guineas mount

Danielle Johnson has turned down two potential stars to ride Barbaric in Saturday's $50,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa.

The premiership-leading jockey opted against travelling to Riccarton to ride Prince Mambo in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas, then chose Barbaric over Ryan Mark, who has won his last five starts, including one with Johnson on board at Hastings at the end of August.

"I did have the choice but I trialled Barbaric and he trialled up nicely. I've been working with him for the last little while and he's going really well," Johnson said.

"He won his trial really well in the fastest time of the day and he felt a million dollars. It was a tough choice but I'm happy with the horse I'm on."

Johnson has formed a formidable association with Barbaric's Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, which was also part of the reason behind her choice.

TAB bookmakers opened Ryan Mark as a $3.20 favourite, ahead of Barbaric at $3.50 and Fix at $5.50.

Johnson, who has forged 10 wins clear of Mark Du Plessis on the jockeys' premiership with 39 wins already this season, has a full book of rides at Te Rapa.

"I've got a nice book. Sardaaj is a really promising horses. She's got a wide draw but she's good enough to overcome it," Johnson said.

While the 22-year-old will miss the opening day of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton, she will ride there next Wednesday.

She will team up with the Lee Somervell-trained Addictive Habit in the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile, the Peter and Dawn Williams-trained Britt Ekland in the Gr.3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes and McLaren in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes.