Buratino has Gimcrack option Buratino could make a surprise quick reappearance in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York on Saturday week. The Mark Johnston-trained youngster could go on a retrieval mission in the Group Two after failing to back up his Coventry Stakes success when only third to Air Force Blue, whom he had beaten at Royal Ascot, in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on 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 and Air Force Blue likely to head to the Prix Morny, it makes the Gimcrack a very attractive option. "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 One and if he turns up at York on fast ground he would take all the beating." Ode To Evening has been absent since finishing fifth to his stablemate in the Coventry, but is set to reappear in the Gimcrack. "Whether Buratino runs or not, we shall probably run Ode To Evening. He ran well when fifth in the Coventry but has had a few niggles since," said Johnston. "He seems in good shape now and goes there a fresh horse. He is a useful horse who deserves to be in the line-up."
