Gimcrack a Possibility for Buratino

Godolphin’s Buratino (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) could make a surprise quick reappearance in the G2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack S. at York on Saturday week. The Mark Johnston-trained youngster could go on a retrieval mission in the Group 2 after failing to back up his Royal Ascot G2 Coventry S. success when only third to Air Force Blue (War Front), whom he had beaten at Royal Ascot, in the G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh Sunday.

The trainer’s son, Charlie Johnston, said, “Dad needs to have a discussion with John Ferguson and the Godolphin team but at the moment it is not out the question that Buratino runs in the Gimcrack. It is worth £220,000 and with Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Air Force Blue likely to head to the [G1] Prix Morny [at Deauville Aug. 23], it makes the Gimcrack a very attractive option.”

Added Johnston, “We felt that the slightly easy ground at The Curragh didn’t suit him and you could tell at half-way that he was in trouble. He didn’t travel with the same power as he did at Ascot. There is no disgrace in finishing third in a Group 1 and if he turns up at York on fast ground he would take all the beating.”