Buffering has provided a preview of what we should expect this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival after winning the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm today with ease.
The three-year-old Mossman gelding showed that he had completely recovered from his recent leg injury and is back to his best form.
Last start Group 1 The Galaxy winner Atomic Force couldn’t keep up as Buffering produced a thrilling win that saw him lead from the start to beat his closest competitor by 1.3 lengths.
Trainer Robert Heathcote had anticipated that Buffering would be difficult to beat before the race.
“His work on Saturday morning was first class and I was delighted with his work this morning,” Heathcote said before the race.
“I expect him to be competitive but he’ll improve a lot after this run.”
The trainer will now consider sending Buffering to face off against his biggest challenge yet, Black Caviar, in the upcoming BTC Cup on May 14.
“If he runs a blinder I’ll consider lining up against Black Caviar next time,” Heathcote said earlier in the week.
“But I do mean just lining up against her. I don’t expect him to beat her.”
Buffering will now be prepared for a run in the major feature of the winter carnival, the Stradbroke Handicap, after gaining automatic entry as a result of his Victory Stakes win.
“Saturday’s race is a ballot-free race into the Stradbroke Handicap so if he happened to win then the Stradbroke would be his primary goal,” Heathcote said.
