Buffering sizzles in raceday trial
Buffering has run close to the 1050m-record at Doomben in a barrier trial between races.
Jockey Damian Browne has a word of warning for his southern rivals following star sprinter Buffering’s scintillating win in a barrier trial at Doomben.
Browne was quick to declare while he was happy with Buffering’s effort he believed the gelding had improvement in him.
It was a startling statement because Buffering, who was ridden in a heavy saddle, ran 59.58 seconds for the 1050 metres, a tick outside the course record of 59.19s.
The eye-catching part of his run was the final 600m where he clocked a sizzling 32.14s.
Buffering took on four rivals in the trial between races including Group One winner Miss Cover Girl and Group One placed The Virginian.
It was Buffering’s first serious hit-out since he was injured in the Hong Kong Chairman’s Prize at Sha Tin on May 1.
“He pulled up a bit bigger than I hoped and was a bit thick in the wind,” Browne said.
“I think there is some improvement in him. But I was happy with the way he went and he seemed to enjoy himself.”
Trainer Robert Heathcote is on a short skiing holiday but will monitor Buffering in the next few days before committing him to a start in the Group One Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee valley on September 30.
Buffering’s stablemate Hopfgarten was a well-beaten second in the trial but pleased his jockey Jim Byrne.
“it was a nice run behind a super horse,” Byrne said.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd was happy with The Virginian, who finished third at his first hit out back since being placed in the Group One Stradbroke.
He said The Virginian showed no signs of the colic which caused him to be scratched on Saturday.
“He gave me a good feel and I liked the way he stretched out in the final 300 metres,” Lloyd said.
The Virginian is now likely to run in the Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week with Damien Oliver to ride.
Trainer Kelly Schweida said Miss Cover Girl had been fair in the trial but he was still looking to run her in The Shorts at Randwick on Saturday week.