Fine Efforts From Buratino & Steady Pace In Middle Park

Buratino and Steady Pace ran excellent races to finish second and third in the Group One Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, September 26.

The Mark Johnston-trained Buratino raced keenly behind the leaders for William Buick before settling in third after the first quarter-mile.

He ran on to go second inside the final furlong and made relentless headway on Shalaa, who held on by half a length to win in 1m 11.92s on good ground.

Steady Pace, representing Saeed bin Suroor, was held up in last of the seven runners by Harry Bentley and started to take closer order with two furlongs to race.

The Dark Angel colt quickened strongly inside the final furlong, snatching third near the line to go down by two and a half lengths in total.

Mark Johnston commented: "Buratino ran a great race. He finished third in Ireland on his last start and that form has worked out well.

"I just wondered if he was an early-season horse but one thing I do know is that he is very well and everything was right for today. I was confident the ground would dry out - I don't think there were any excuses and we have seen what he is made of.

"His win in the Coventry Stakes was possibly a career-best and, interestingly for a horse that showed so much speed at the beginning of the season, it looks like another furlong won't be a problem to him.

William Buick added: "Buratino ran a blinder and the winner is obviously a proper two-year-old sprinter. My horse is probably ready for a step up to seven furlongs now."

Saeed bin Suroor said: "Steady Pace ran well and I am happy that he has finished third in a Group One race.

"I think seven furlongs might be a bit better for him now. We will see about running him in a Group Three race over that distance at Newbury (October 24), providing the ground is not too soft."