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| Staff Writer |
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The connections are targeting a comeback for Bucanero Fuerte in the My Pension Expert July Cup, as the Prix Jean Prat this weekend comes too soon after the setback that prevented the colt from participating in Royal Ascot.
Adrian Murray’s son of Wootton Bassett became a part of Amo Racing's history as a 2YO, securing three victories, including a first Group One success for Kia Joorabchian’s operation.
Earlier this year, the team opted out of pursuing Classic honors over a mile and instead focused on sprinting, a decision that appeared astute when Bucanero Fuerte, the brother of the Abbaye-winning Wooded, triumphed in the Lacken Stakes at Naas.
This victory made him one of the frontrunners for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting. However, along with Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek and Karl Burke’s Elite Status, he missed out on competing at Ascot as Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin emerged victorious.
Continuing on a sprinting path and on the road to recovery, Bucanero Fuerte may have the opportunity to finally face Inisherin if he is deemed fit to compete in the six-furlong event at Newmarket.
“We’re thinking of the July Cup at Newmarket,” said Murray.
“He won’t be ready for France (Prix Jean Prat). We’re aiming for Newmarket but whether we will have him ready in time, I don’t know.
“He will have lost a good bit of weight and we’re having to build him back up. We’re hoping to have him there, but there’s no guarantee.
“We have a lot of options for him if we don’t get him to Newmarket.”
He went on: “It was unbelievable to see three of the favourites come out so close to the race (at Ascot), you couldn’t believe that would happen.
“Hopefully we can go to Newmarket, but we will just have to monitor how quickly he comes back to himself.
“He’s been back home a week and looks well, but it’s just he lost a bit of weight and it will be how quickly we can get that back on and get back into serious training with him.”