Buffering showed he was the horse to beat in the upcoming Group One BTC Cup with a stunning win in today’s $100,000 Weight-For-Age Sprint at Eagle Farm.
On the lead throughout, Buffering showed exceptional acceleration over the final stages to draw away from former Horse of the Year Scenic Blast and win by a widening seven length margin.
The performance had the good judges impressed and connections looking forward to his coming goals during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Trainer Rob Heathcote said the gelded son of Mossman would head to the BTC Cup and the Doomben 10,000 where Autumn Carnival star Nash Rawiller has been booked for the rides.
“He’s been racing against the best two sprinters in the world in Black Caviar and Hay List and he put them to the sword today,” Heathcote told AAP.
Today’s $100,000 feature was held as a consolation after last Saturday’s meeting featuring the Sir Byrne Hart Stakes was washed out.
Heathcote thanked Racing Queensland for rescheduling today’s weight-for-age race and said the race was necessary to get his star ready for further feature events.
“It was a good decision and he’s an important horse for Queensland racing in the winter.”
It’s full steam ahead now as connections aim for a breakthrough and deserved win at Group One level after a number of close calls.
“I’ve seen the BTC Cup noms and he’ll trim up a point or two further now.”
“He’s proven at weight-for-age and the others aren’t but I was a little surprised at the ease of his win (today).”
One of three impressive city winners on the day for Vinery Stud sire Mossman, Buffering has turned out an incredible money spinner for his connections.
The Racetree bred graduate was purchased by Heathcote’s good friend, renowned New Zealand based bloodstock agent Paul Willetts for $22,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale.
His outstanding record now reads out at nine wins and nine minor placings from just 24 starts and earnings of over $1.45 million.
Buffering came into today’s race after a streak of four Group One placings – second in the Patinack Farm Classic (to Black Caviar), third in the Lightning Stakes (to Black Caviar and Hay List), second in the Newmrket Handicap (half head behind Hay List) and third in the William Reid Stakes (to Foxwedge and Hay List).
The win was another timely boost for Buffering’s weanling half brother by Hidden Dragon set to go under the hammer at the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
The colt is the latest product of the Sydney winning and top producing Anabaa mare Action Annie – a half sister to 12 time winning international black type galloper Don’t Go Crazy.
The weanling colt, catalogued as lot 553, is being offered at the Gold Coast by Lyndhurst Stud Farm on behalf of Summerholm Park.
Buffering’s sire Mossman was today also represented by the listed Wangoom winner Second Effort as well as Sydney winner Mossmine – fittingly in the Mossman Handicap.
Mossman has 11 lots catalogued for next month’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
PICS – Dan Costello.
