Buffering jockey Damian Browne (right) rides his mount to victory past Moment of Change in the Winterbottom Stakes. Source: Theo Fakos / News Corp Australia
JIMMY Cassidy reckons Zoustar would start "odds-on'' in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes next autumn.
Buffering's trainer Rob Heathcote says Zoustar "now needs to step into the ring against the older horses''.
Either way, Origin will arrive early next year with Sydney champ Zoustar and Queenslander Buffering to go head to head for the title of Australia's best sprinter.
Perhaps Buffering already earned top billing after he made it three straight Group 1 victories in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth on Saturday night.
The popular six-year-old took his career earnings past $4 million, and will now return next year for the Challenge Stakes in Sydney en route to the TJ Smith Stakes where Zoustar will await.
``I don't think there are any doubts Buffering is the best sprinter in the country,'' Heathcote told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
``The only horse who has beaten him this preparation is Samaready, and she's gone amiss, and Buffering came out of that race (against Samaready) with a bruised heel.
``He's won three Group 1s in succession, and I think that makes a statement. There are no accolades for being `top dog' in Australia, no prizes, no trophies, but at the end of the day I'll enjoy the Christmas break knowing I've got him.''
Heathcote said Zoustar, the $18 million colt who won the Golden Rose, Roman Consul Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes this spring, would now be required to take on the older horses.
``Zoustar looks an up-and-coming champion, he's taken all before him against the three-year-olds, but he's now got to step into the ring with the older horses,'' Heathcote said.
``That's hard to do. The classic example is Buffering. Buffering is a six-year-old now and he's clearly in the best form of his career. Admittedly when he was three and four, he had to take on the likes of Black Caviar, Hay List, Sepoy, horses like that.
``Buffering is the top dog now.''
Cassidy said Zoustar was untapped and would start ``odds-on'' in the TJ Smith Stakes if there were no hiccups between now and next April.
``He's be odds-on and I'd have Buffering `6/4','' Cassidy said.
``Buffering has put together three Group 1s now. But I rode Sea Siren, I think Buffering beat her home once, and Zoustar would give Sea Siren a cold.''
Buffering again showed his toughness after he blew away Perth pin-up Barakey at the top of the Ascot straight on Saturday, then dug deep to hold off Moment Of Change in a photo finish.
Heathcote said time and again Buffering had brought undone rival horses who tried to match it with him early.
``They're the first horses brought undone,'' Heathcote said.
``As (jockey) Damian (Browne) says, to sit half a length in front of him, it doesn't allow that horse to get into their proper breathing rhythm, and they run with a feeling of apprehension of something happening just behind them.'
``Buffering showed his usual kick and fight and toughness and determination. Even with 50m to go on Saturday, `Browney' could feel Moment Of Change coming, but Buffering surged again.''
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