Buratino set for Middle Park chance

Buratino is set for a tilt at Newmarket’s Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes but only if the ground is in his favour.

The two-year-old was set to line up in York’s Gimcrack Stakes but was withdrawn due to the easy ground on the Knavesmire.

And now attention has been turned to Headquarters and a crack at another high-class Group One event.

Mark Johnston is training his charge for the six-furlong contest but, as his son Charlie admitted, other factors will determine whether or not he races at Newmarket.

“It was a shame we didn’t run Buratino at York but after his defeat at the Curragh a decision was made that he would not run on soft ground again,” he said.

“He will be very ground dependent for the rest of the year and ideally we would go for the Middle Park next, but you are in the lap of the gods as regards to the weather at that time of year.”