Buffering gearing up for Melbourne
Star sprinter Buffering will attempt to win his fourth Moir Stakes later this month without another barrier trial.
Buffering was brilliant winning a trial at Doomben last week when he clocked close to a course record time for the 1000 metres.
It was his first serious hit-out since he was injured in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong in May.
Trainer Robert Heathcote is keen to tackle the Moir at Moonee Valley on September 30 before another possible trip to Perth for the Group One Winterbottom Stakes which Buffering won in 2013 and again last year.
He believes Buffering will not need another barrier trial before the Moir (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
“I would like to give him a good hit-out on the course proper at Eagle Farm on Saturday morning. He will then work between races on Saturday week before we head south,” Heathcote said.
Buffering won the Moir Stakes in 2012 when it was a Group Two race and has won the past two editions at Group One level.
His multiple stakes-winning stablemate Hopfgarten will accompany Buffering to Melbourne and be aimed at some of the lower grade stakes races around 1600 metres.
“There isn’t a lot for him in Brisbane and he did trial well behind Buffering the other day,” Heathcote said.