Global Weekly Preview - 25.09.15

The fascination and attraction of the European Autumn is that all hopes and expectations of almost an entire season can be either confirmed or destroyed in just one end-of-season race.

That back-end 'examination' can result in a juvenile being promoted to favouritism -- or retaining it -- for one of the following season's Classics, or having his or her name scrubbed from the lists completely.

Trainer Mark Johnston realises that is the case with his Coventry Stakes winner Buratino, owned by Godolphin, and the brilliant filly Lumiere, who carries the colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. It is make-or-break for both young horses at Saturday's Newmarket meeting.

Johnston has publicly said that Buratino would not take his chance again on ground that was on the soft side, and the trainer is sticking to that policy.

"I know it was officially Good to Soft on the Rowley Mile on Thursday, but it was very breezy and there is no forecast rain. There is every chance that it won't be any slower than Good, which means that it is full steam ahead with our plan to run in the G1 Middle Park Stakes," the trainer pointed out.

"I'm very happy with Buratino. He did not have a break after (finishing third in) the G1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (August 9), and we by-passed the Gimcrack to wait for Good ground. His (body) weight is spot on.

"My instructions were to keep him entered up, and to go for races on good fast ground. That's what we are doing. We can't make any long-range plans," he added.

Buratino is scheduled to face six rivals in the Middle Park, including another three also carrying the royal blue Godolphin colours.

Charlie Appleby is expecting Venturous to step up on his recent Doncaster win. "He is the least exposed, and I feel that mentally he has come on from his last run.

"Rouleau has been very consistent for us this year. He is a half-brother to Amadeus Wolf who is a previous winner of the Middle Park," he pointed out.

Saeed bin Suroor sends out Steady Pace, another who has run consistently with credit throughout the year.

The John Gosden-trained Shalaa is the highest-rated and favourite for the six-furlong race.

Johnston is excited about Lumiere, who faces a very strong line-up in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes. "Whereas Buratino has been running through the summer and has had plenty of racing, Lumiere is at the opposite end of the spectrum. We are still getting to know her.

"We are very hopeful that she can win the Cheveley Park, even against the very classy fillies that are running this year.

"I feel that Lumiere is the best I have in my yard. She is very speedy, but she is relaxing so well at home. I have no doubt she will get one-mile at three. At present, she is relatively unexposed, and she has been highly rated by many because of her win in a (Newmarket) maiden," he pointed out.

Besharah is a tough filly with good credentials, while Illuminate has been brilliant and Bear Cheek promising.

In the Cambridgeshire, both Musaddas and Portage carry the Godolphin colours, with preference being for the latter.

In Australia, Contributer is another with a make-or-break approach to his next engagement, Saturday's G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

His first-up fifth in Moonee Valley's Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes was below expectations, but trainer John O'Shea is anticipating a better run this time.

"My job is to have him peaking on the big day, and we are pressing ahead with the G1 Cox Plate as the big target this spring.

"He is going well at home. He went to Melbourne early and we expect a big run in the Underwood," he added.

Contributer will face 11 rivals, including hardy campaigner Fawkner.

Godolphin's Moher will line up in the G3 Caulfield Guineas prelude on the same programme.