War horse has world at his feet

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"THERE is no Black Caviar around, no Hay List, no Sepoy - there's Buffering.''

In just a few words trainer Rob Heathcote summed up Buffering's standing in the Australian sprinting ranks after his brilliant win in the Group 1 $1 million VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington yesterday.

Buffering has raced through that era of super sprinters and he's now inherited the crown as the best sprinter in Australia, if not the world.

This is some call but Buffering has now beaten the world's highest-rated sprinter, Hong Kong's Lucky Nine, twice in as many clashed in Melbourne this spring with the latter finishing a struggling

Perhaps only Sydney's super colt Zoustar rates with or above Buffering - and both may meet at Royal Ascot next year.

"We are definitely after Zoustar and you can add Buffering to that list,'' said Royal Ascot's Nick Smith at Flemington yesterday. "You have to admire Buffering, he is just so courageous.''

Buffering had beaten Lucky Nine last start in the Manikato Stakes but there was a huge difference between them in betting for VRC Sprint Classic.

Lucky Nine was backed into $3.40 favouritism while Buffering eased from $8 to $11.

Buffering bounced to the front early, Lucky Nine ranged alongside to challenge at the 400m but suddenly the Hong Kong star was under pressure and fading.

Queensland jockey Damian Browne kisses Buffering after his stunning win. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

The "Brisbane Bulldog" Buffering simply never gives up and he broke clear of his rivals 300m out then held off the late surf of Shamexpress ($18) to win by three-quarters of a length with Moment Of Change ($9) nearly two lengths away third.

Buffering scored his second Group 1 win in as many starts after having 17 attempts at Group 1 level for 10 minor placings.

"In the words of Chris Waller a week ago he said Red Tracer took a long time to win a Group 1 but invariably the second one comes not long after,'' Heathcote said.

"Little Buffering has done the job again today, he's gone back-to-back in Group 1's, and I couldn't be prouder of him.

"He is the sort of horse that gives you 110 per cent every start. What you see is what you get with him, there are no surprises, he leads and says 'catch-me-if-you-can'.''

Heathcote said he felt Buffering had the race in his keeping 400m out when jockey Damien Browne urged the sprinter for a final effort and they broke clear of the chasing pack,.

"There were a few unanswered questions after the Manikato because some people may have felt he was a bit unlucky to win that race,'' Heathcote said.

"But there was no luck involved today - that was pure guts and determination.''

Heathcote has had an extraordinary spring carnival. Brisbane's premier trainer brought three horses to Melbourne and they have won three Group 1 races with Buffering and Solzhenitsyn (Toorak Handicap), a Group 2 with Fire Up Fifi (Blazer Stakes) and all three gallopers have also been placed in Group 1 races.'

Buffering is bound for another Group 1 when he heads to the Winterbottom Stakes at Perth's Ascot track in two weeks. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Similarly, winning jockey Damian Browne has confirmed he is one of the nation's very best riders with a breakthrough carnival that included major races wins on Buffering and Fire Up Fifi, as well as one of the rides on the carnival with Liesele at Caulfield.

"I've made no secret that I have a huge opinion of Damien Brown, not only as a rider, but as a bloke and he's just so calm, cool and collected and prior to the race I didn't discuss riding instruction because I was happy to leave it to Damian,'' Heathcote added.

Buffering is set to chase a third Group 1 win in the Winterbottom Stakes at Perth's Ascot track in two weeks.

"I'm still going to Perth because I've promised the boys so hopefully Buffering will be a nice drawcard for their carnival then he'll come home to Brisbane,'' Heathcote said. "Fire Up Fifi will also go there for the Railway Stakes.'''

Browne said as soon as he asked Buffering for the kick, he found a quick length and "then it was just a matter of fighting them off."

"He's standing up as the country's number one sprinter,'' Browne added.

Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress nearly pulled up Flemington's Group 1 sprint double with his late surge to run Buffering to less than a length.

"He got a held up for a few strides about the 400m and that didn't help but it was a great run,'' jockey Damien Oliver said.

Peter Moody, trainer of Moment Of Change, also confirmed his sprinter was Perth-bound for the Winterbottom Stakes.

Lucky Nine's struggling sixth had jockey Brett Prebble searching for answers.

"No excuses,'' Prebble said. "He was in the right spot - but just didn't go.''

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