Trainer Robert Heathcote has been thrilled with the form displayed by Buffering this season and believes the veteran sprinter will be very hard to beat in Saturday’s 2015 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.

A five-time Group 1 winner, Buffering confirmed to the Australian racing community he is still more than up to the task; producing a typically slick turn of foot to beat a talented field to the line in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) first-up on October 2^nd.

Having continued to impress in placing fifth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and an impressive fourth in the major Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) down the Flemington straight a fortnight ago, Heathcote told Racing Ahead the Mossman gelding is a picture of health, has travelled to Perth well and is primed for a big performance in the 2015 Winterbottom Stakes.

“I’m very happy with him,” Heathcote said.

“He’s arrived safe and sound, he’s settled in well, has eaten and drunk well and he’ll be having his final little bit of work today at Ascot.

“Probably one of the benefits of a horse like Buffering is he’s such a seasoned and experience traveller and takes it all in his stride.

“The locals – you have to give them a lot of respect on their home turf.

“I think strictly on his Darley form he’s going to be hard to beat.

“He just feels great, he had a light trot and canter yesterday and came off the track having a buck so he’s certainly feeling well.

Buffering has posted an impressive seventeen wins and as many minor place finishes through 49 career starts so far, and undoubtedly found career-best form to date through a 2013 spring and summer campaign highlighted by consecutive wins in the Manikato Stakes, Darley Classic (then VRC Sprint Classic) and Winterbottom Stakes.

Returning last spring for first-up success in the Moir Stakes, Buffering continued to impress through each of the Manikato Stakes and Darley Classic before a trip abroad heralded a credible sixth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Winterbottom Stakes odds, for which Buffering remains clear $3.60 favourite from Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($6).