Buratino Back In Trip For Sandy Lane

Time/Date - 15.45hrs local time/Saturday, May 28, 2016
Racecourse/Country - Haydock Park/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f

Buratino returns to six furlongs in the G2 188Bet Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park, UK, on Saturday, May 28.

The Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old faded to ninth on his only try at a mile in the Classic, the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas Stakes, at Newmarket on April 30.

The colt was among Europe's top juveniles last season and ended an excellent campaign with a half-length second in the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket in September.

Buratino finished third over the same trip in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, Ireland, and stormed to a two-length success in the G2 Coventry Stakes, again over six furlongs, at Royal Ascot.

James Doyle, who partnered Buratino in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, takes the ride on the Exceed And Excel colt again.

Mark Johnston commented: "I am not 100 per cent convinced that the issue with Buratino in the 2000 Guineas was the trip.

"We have seen some runners from that meeting turn the form round a bit and the ground was unusually soft and loose at Newmarket, which could have been a major factor for him.

"We are coming back to six furlongs on good ground and there are no excuses for him this time - he is proven at this trip and back to what we know he can do."

Buratino, allocated stall two, takes on seven other three-year-olds headed by dual G3 winner Gifted Master, French G2 scorer Donjuan Triumphant, G3 victor La Rioja and Quiet Reflection who has succeeded twice at G3 level.