Berry's tasty Singapore sling

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THE spring carnival might be over, but jockey Tommy Berry is preparing for another hectic weekend of racing with Rosehill on Saturday and then a hit-and-run trip to Singapore on Sunday.

Berry has been invited by Aussie trainer Michael Freedman to ride Tropaios in Sunday's Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) at Kranji, an offer Berry couldn't refuse.

Melbourne big guns Glen Boss and Craig Newitt are also expected to ride at the lucrative meeting.

"Michael gave me a call and asked if I wanted to ride Tropaios in the Cup, he's a lightweight chance with 51kg, and I said, yes','' Berry said.

"I've now got 11 rides at the meeting and 10 of them are for Michael. I follow Singapore racing a bit, but I've never met Michael.''

Berry, 22, has never been to Singapore, and pointed out his three-month stint in Hong Kong earlier this year was the first time he had been overseas.

The young Sydney rider - and Gai Waterhouse's No.1 stable hoop - enjoyed a solid Melbourne carnival without breaking through for a major.

Tommy Berry wins aboard super filly Kirramosa on Derby Day. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited

"My main goal over the carnival was to ride a Group winner, and I did that with Kirramosa in the Wakeful,'' Berry said.

"Just to ride a winner on one of the main races was good. I started getting more rides towards the end of the carnival, so hopefully that's a stepping stone for bigger and better things next spring.''

Two things at the top of Berry's agenda this season were to ride during the Melbourne spring carnival, and win the Sydney premiership.

Tommy Berry weighs in before the start of the Melbourne Cup last Tuesday but the workload certainly hasn't eased since returning to Sydney. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

With Melbourne out of the way, Berry's immediate focus is trying to reel in leaders Glyn Schofield and Christian Reith on the local ladder.

"While I was away I dropped down to third behind Glyn and Christian,'' Berry said.

"But that's given me something to set my goal on, I'm keen to get as close as I can, and I'll be throwing everything at it.

"I've got some nice rides on Saturday, including Travolta for Gai (Waterhouse). I worked him this morning and he galloped well and seems to have come back in tip-top order. If there's any rain about he'll also like it.

"I'm also riding a two-year-old named Duccio (for Waterhouse) who is a young horse with a lot of ability.''

Singapore's biggest day of the calendar will have no shortage of Aussiesin action, with former Sydney hoops Corey Brown and Danny Beasley now regulars in the winner's circle over there.

Meanwhile, Nash Rawiller and Waterhouse will combine in four races at Caulfield on Saturday, including Equator in the Sandown Guineas.

Rawiller will also steer Raunchy Rocker (Twilight Glow Stakes), Queenstown (Zipping Classic), who was just beaten at Flemington on the weekend, and Rain Drum (Eclipse Stakes), the horse who caused Waterhouse to momentarily pause her Melbourne Cup press conference last Tuesday.

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Crunch time for Aloisi

Heart coach John Aloisi has won just eight of the 32 games since taking over from John van't Schip. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

MELBOURNE Heart coach John Aloisi has the club's full support according to chief executive Scott Munn despite its winless start to the season.

Munn acknowledged the growing pressure on the bottom-of-the-table Heart ahead of Friday night's crunch clash with Sydney FC at AAMI Park, but said it was no more pressure than the club puts on itself to succeed.

Aloisi has won just eight of the 32 games since taking over from John van't Schip at the start of 2012/13 and the club has been held scoreless in four of the five games it has played this season.

While "disappointed" with the start to the season Munn insisted "we're not hitting the panic button", especially in regards to the coach.

"At the end of last season we performed an extensive review of all facets of the business and particularly the football department," Munn said.

"We knew that we needed to invest in both our players and also the support around John and we've done that. We continue to work with everyone in the football department to make sure that we achieve our goal, which is success and nothing's changed from that.

"I met this morning, as I always do on a Monday morning, with (football operations manager) John Didulica and John Aloisi and I think from our perspective we just need to remain focused and take those opportunities that are there.

"What we're not going to do though is rest on our laurels and say 'gee we're playing good football, our luck will turn', we need to make sure that we make it turn and create some of our own destiny."

Heart coach John Aloisi ventures his displeasure at a decision in the match against the Mariners. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

Munn said he is "happy" with the current coaching structure at Heart, pointing to the off-season acquisition of former Liverpool FC assistant Gerard Nus and return of inaugural coach van 't Schip as technical manager.

Van 't Schip's role is not a full-time one, but he is due to return from Holland next week for a six-week stint in Melbourne.

"Clearly we continue to monitor everything and make changes if we need to, but certainly for us we're not hitting the panic button," Munn said.

"As everyone is we're disappointed with the results. We ask hard questions and we want answers and we'll continue to work with everyone, but the mood among the players is positive, we just have to start finding the back of the net."

Munn said the weekend's crowd of 8070 against Western Sydney, played at a rainswept AAMI Park, was down on initial budgets.

But the club is expecting as many as 11,000 for the clash with Alessandro Del Piero's Sky Blues on Friday.

"Membership is up on this time last year, we know that, but there's no question that Del Piero has an impact," Munn said.

"He's one of the biggest names globally in football, not just here, so we do see that. We had a great crowd (when he played in Melbourne) last year."

HEART UNDER JOHN ALOISI

season // win // draw // loss // GF // GA // pos

2012/13 8 3 16 31 40 9th

2013/14 0 2 3 2 7 10th

Total: P32 W8 D5 L19 Win% 25

THE THREE WEEKS THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK J.A

Friday Sydney FC AAMI Park

Nov 24 Newcastle Hunter Stadium

Dec 1 Adelaide AAMI Park

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Classic way to toast Bart's birthday

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THE best way Bart Cummings can celebrate his birthday this week is with another Group win by stable warrior Precedence.

Precedence was yesterday among 12 nominations for Saturday's Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m), which has been transferred from Sandown to Caulfield.

Cummings had the last laugh on Saturday when Precedence held on to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes - but only after the Victoria Racing Club refused to play ball and grant his horse a start in last Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

Such was the outrage over the VRC's decision to snub Cummings a crack at winning his 13th Cup, a public campaign was started in Precedence's honour.

Now an eight-year-old, Precedence is sure to make his trainer feel a lot younger should he win the Zipping Classic.

Cummings turns 86 on Thursday.

Grandson and Bart's training partner James Cummings indicated a final call on starting Precedence would be made tomorrow.

Precedence has hit a real purple patch of form. He won the Moonee Valley Cup two starts back before he backed it up at Flemington on Saturday, and finished third in this race last year.

While nobody will be upset about a Cummings' big-race triumph, you have to wonder how much longer the local trainers and owners will put up with other Sydney trainers, jockeys and horses picking off the carnival spoils.

Sydney trainers again have a decent presence down south, with Darley chief Peter Snowden (Paximadia and Champollion), Gai Waterhouse (Equator and Ryker) and Anthony Cummings (Best Case and Forget Maybe) all well represented in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m).

However, man of the moment Chris Waller has just Thubiaan (Sandown Cup) and She's Clean (Summoned Stakes) entered for the entire transferred program.

Closer to home, at Rosehill on Saturday trainer John O'Shea's smart mare White Sage will try to shoot for a fourth straight career win when required to lump 59.5kg in a 1350m event.

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Bring a Major Down Under: Scott

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US Masters Champion Adam Scott says Australia deserves a major for the nation's contribution to the sport.

"It'd be validation for what this country has given to the game." said Scott who heads to Melbourne this week for the Australian Masters after winning the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.

"We've got great courses and great players ... I'd ­certainly promote it to come here."

This week and next, Scott will feature on the obvious home for such an event, Australia's greatest course, Royal Melbourne's composite layout.

But before you start wondering where to buy tickets, understand that if a major was to be staged here, it would be no earlier than 2020.

And that's only if the PGA of America decides to and then chooses Australia over a long list of other contenders.

The possibility arose last month when the PGA of America, which owns and runs the PGA Championship, hinted that it could take the year's final major abroad.

There are considerable hurdles: the PGA Tour professionals themselves, and the tournament's broadcast partner.

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Then there are our near neighbours. Scott accepted that cashed up nations like China would have an advantage saying "obviously Asia would be the front runner," before adding "we should see it as a positive that's its possible to host a major. The PGA is big on growing the game."

The Scott show moves to Melbourne this week, with organisers hopeful that the world No.2's drawing power will attract huge crowds.

Fresh from Sunday's Australian PGA triumph, US Masters champion Scott is the top drawcard as he defends his domestic Masters title this week and then pairs with world No.20 Jason Day in Australia's team for the World Cup.

Royal Melbourne chief executive Paul Rak said he expected 10,000-15,000 spectators a day over the four days of each tournament.

``With Adam winning on the weekend, I think a lot of people really want to see him,'' said Rak.

``With him playing with Jason Day in a team event playing for Australia, which we all love, that will be another add-on for the second week so I expect the crowds to be pretty strong for both weeks.''

Jason Day is another Australian with strong form on the Tour. Matt Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP

While Scott will defend his Australian Masters title, the 120-man field also includes Geoff Ogilvy, former world No.1 Vijay Singh and a host of other top-line Australian players.

In the World Cup that features 28 nations, the USA will be represented by world No.8 Matt Kuchar and Bill Haas, while other big names in the field include world No.11 Irishman Graeme McDowell and Argentina's Angel Cabrera.

Royal Melbourne superintendent Richard Forsyth said a big challenge was choosing pin placements with 10 positions needed on the sloping greens over two weeks.

The composite course will play the same apart from one tee placement change in the second week.

``It will be a similar layout to the 2011 Presidents Cup, they've just changed the order of the last three holes to make the 18th finish on the traditional 18th hole.''

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Arnold attacks 'bullying' ref, FFA

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MARINERS coach Graham Arnold has accused referee Ben Williams of "bullying" a young linesman - and FFA of double standards against the Central Coast - in the aftermath of their one-nil loss to Brisbane at Bluetongue Stadium yesterday.

Despite the stunning return of A-League bad boy Liam Reddy, outstanding in his first game as Central Coast keeper, of greater interest was Arnold approaching Williams at half-time after a potential hand ball penalty, which linesman Greg Taylor flagged in the 13th minute, was overlooked by the whistleblower.

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Asked what he said to the match official, the coach replied: "I just ah . . . it was a young linesman and if you're going to bully a young linesman and not listen to him, then it's no use having him out there.

"That young linesman flagged for a penalty. He was trying to get the referee's attention and then put it down. Everyone said it. Even Fox Sports said it to me, that the linesman flagged for a penalty and Williams didn't want to see it."

Arnold also went on the attack against the FFA, questioning why his club's game against Wellington has been moved to a midweek date in December, because they have five players selected in the New Zealand squad for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico.

"I'd like to ask you guys why we're not playing?" Arnold said at the press conference. "Do you know why? Wellington played in round one with six out, I don't know why if it's good for one game it's not good all the time?

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"It's the double standards that I don't understand. There are no FIFA dates in the A-League. Now we've got a FIFA date for Wellington.

"I really hope New Zealand qualify . . . but the A-League has no FIFA dates so why did they call our game off. No one has explained it to me. I've got no understanding. I understand Wellington would be over the moon about it.

"But I don't understand how in round one they can miss six players and they play, yet in round six they call the game off.

"They don't even stop a game for Australia so why have we got a FIFA date for New Zealand. Why us? Maybe you guys could ask the FFA."

While the game belonged to Brisbane, thanks to an outstanding strike by substitute Kwame Yeboah in the 89th minute, the match also marked a successful A-League return for goalkeeper Reddy.

Brought into the squad to replace the dumped Justin Pasfield, who made two howlers last week, Reddy made three sensational saves in his first A-League game since being axed by Sydney FC for drinking on a flight two Wellington.

Asked why he left Pasfield out, Arnold said: "I made the judgement because of how much it seemed to rattle Justin through the week.

"Even at training on Thursday and Friday he was a shell of himself and I just couldn't a risk of someone so down in confidence . . . I couldn't risk putting him out there again.

"But Joel is a great guy. Great player. If he didn't have his off field problems at Sydney FC he'd still be there No.1 goalkeeper today. He showed today he's got that quality."

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Fowler shines despite defeat

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RICKIE Fowler stood out like a fluorescent orange beacon against the darkness of Royal Pines.

It was over an hour after Adam Scott had claimed the Australian PGA and Fowler, who was runner-up, was still alongside the championship green signing autographs.

Far from being bitter at a weather delay that halted his momentum and allowed Scott to build a one-shot lead into a four-stroke victory - Fowler was thrilled to share the moment with Scott.

"That was the highlight, walking up 18 with everyone around,'' he said.

"Obviously I wasn't going to win but being alongside Adam and seeing him win in front of his hometown crowd and the support we had this week, that was the highlight.''

The poster boy for golf's new breed collected $127,500 for finishing in second place on -10, four shots behind as well as a swell of new conscriptions to his legion of fans.

Scott's return home to the Gold Coast and his maiden Australian PGA win was the undeniable story of four great days of golf but it took the US Masters champ on his home turf to snatch the spotlight from Fowler.

Adam Scott's bid for the Australian PGA Championship title has been interrupted due to poor weather.

It was as much about his personality as his stunning golf.

He commandeered the air-horn as the skies closed-in midway through the final round and was the man who blew the buzzer when the officials decided it was time to halt play.

No one wanted the delay but the parochial fans were impressed to see a big-shot international star take the circumstances in such good humour.

The few fans who had still refused to fall under his spell were won over on the other side of the 90 minute break when he held the flag as Scott sunk a tap-in putt for his first eagle of the round.

His colourful personality, and dress sense, didn't just swell the numbers in the galleries, it also kept the cash registers ringing in the Royal Pines pro-shop where his signature merchandise has been the hottest item all week.

Ricky Fowler chats to Adam Scott during the final round. AFP PHOTO / Khalid Redza Source: AFP

Many punters waited to see what colour he'd wear each day before ducking into make a purchase.

Needless to say the Gold Coast could have been re-named Orange County yesterday.

"It was a great week, the fans were awesome, we had a great following today,'' he said.

"I know it was pretty crowded out there and it's always great having the support.

"I definitely enjoyed my time on the Gold Coast and I'm looking forward to getting back down to Australia hopefully next year ….it's definitely my favourite place outside of the States to come and play golf.''

Scott too is an unabashed fan - devoting a chunk of his victory speech to paying tribute to his final day playing partner.

"I love your work, I love watching you play and thank you for coming down here to play in front of us,'' he said.

"What you do for the game of golf is just amazing.''

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'Steep learning curve for Musky'

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MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat would have learnt a lot about coaching during the heart-stopping Big Blue loss to Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.

That's the opinion of Fox Sports football expert and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich, who dissected the 3-2 thriller on Sunday Shootout with Victory skipper Mark Milligan.

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The Sky Blues held on for a 3-2 win, despite playing most of the match with 10 men after Marc Warren was sent off 30 minutes into the match.

The Victory were unable to break down Sydney, and Bozza believes Muscat - who was only leading the side in his second game since taking over from Ange Postecoglou - could have done more to pressure the hosts.

"Melbourne pretty much kept the same system when Marc Warren was sent off," Bosnich said.

"It's a great lesson for Kevin Muscat to learn. He told us after the match that he contemplated making changes earlier, because it was 65 minutes they were playing against 10 men.

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"If they did, they would have created more chances."

Bosnich suggested moving silky playmaker Gui Finkler to right-back to allow substitute Andrew Nabbout more space up front, but a clearly disappointed Milligan believes the Victory players are to blame, not Muscat's tactics.

"We didn't create the chances we normally create," the skipper said,

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"Last night we just weren't good enough and players didn't stick to our system."

"When it went to 2-2 we were very confident that we would go on with it from there."

"I had a good chance shortly after that, if I'm able to finish that it's a different story from there.

The Big Blue was undoubtedly the match of round five, but there was plenty of other action around the country. Read on for our review.

ROUND IN REVIEW

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Incident of the week

Alessandro Del Piero was in the thick of it for Sydney FC in the Big Blue. The Italian used all his craft and wiliness to draw 12 fouls against a frustrated Victory outfit.

Milligan admits it was frustrating but his side didn't help their cause.

"As a player it is frustrating," Milligan said.

"You want to speed it up and players are playing a bit for it.

"We didn't help the situation, we were aware of it, and we still jumped in on him."

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Highlight of the Week

Take a bow Kwame Yeboah. The 19-year-old Brisbane Roar striker comes off the bench against defending champions the Mariners and scores a late winner of the highest quality. Not a bad way to score your first A-League goal.

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Game of the week

How could you go past the Big Blue? It had everything. Five goals and a sending off all in the first 45 minutes before the Sky Blues clung on to win, despite playing most of the game a man down.

Andy Harper put it best in commentary for Fox Sports: "what could possibly happen next, this game has had everything".

What we learnt

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Is Bogaard the new Muscat?: The Adelaide United defender picked up his second red card of the season and the fifth of his career - equalling Kevin Muscat for the most dismissals in A-League history. His challenge on Emile Heskey was crude but he was perhaps unlucky not to just see a yellow.

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No one is safe at Wanderers: Tony Popovic put his players on notice after dropping skipper Michael Beauchamp for Matthew Spiranovic in the win over Melbourne Heart. It paid off for the Wanderers mentor and despite boasting the stingiest defence last season, Popa's players know they can't take anything for granted.

Heart are the unluckiest team in the A-League: Again John Aloisi's side can count themselves unlucky for not getting at least a point out of their clash with the Wanderers. The Heart saw two shots hit the woodwork and dominated for large periods of the clash at AAMI Park without reward.

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Newcastle are one to look out for: Emile Heskey is back, the young guns are firing and the Jets are scoring goals again. Newcastle fully deserved their win over Adelaide United and Mark Bosnich credits Andrew Hoole as one of the main contributors in the victory:

"He's been doing the business all season. The Jets have got good young players, they've got a tradition of bringing through youth and to go to Adelaide and win 2-1 was a tremendous sign of their spirit," Bosnich said.

Brisbane Roar are the real deal: Bluetongue Stadium was once again a happy hunting ground for the Roar, who struck late to defeat the Mariners 1-0. It was a high-quality game between two genuine title contenders but the Roar's quality shone through, proving they'll be hard to stop this season.

IF you haven't checked out the latest edition to the Fox Football stable, what are you waiting for?

Episode Four of the Fox Football Podcast is now live. Herald Sun chief football writer David Davutovic makes his debut alongside regulars Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Daniel Garb.

All the big A-League issues, including ref blunders, Muscat's initiation, Heart's failures, F3 derby brilliance, plus plenty of fodder from London, with an eye on Manchester United's clash with Arsenal on the weekend, are some of the highlights of 30 minutes well worth listening to.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.

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Heskey urges Ange to go for youth

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EMILE Heskey says Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou should put his faith in the next generation to unearth players who can cut it under World Cup pressure.

The former England international and current Newcastle Jets striker believes the Socceroos are in a unique situation in the lead-up to Brazil next year.

Given England is always expected to win every World Cup tournament, Heskey says the Socceroos not carrying the same burden can be a blessing.

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"It's good to hold onto the foundation (players) if the foundation can give you two or three more tournaments,'' Heskey said.

"But if they can't give you two or three more tournaments then what's the use?

"I think you've got to look at a progression and you've got to look at who is coming through and whether they are going to take you to that next level. If you're not trying them, how are you supposed to know?

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"That's what friendlies are there for.

"Maybe some are not quite there, and we have to stick with this blueprint

When you play friendlies you can tell who is ready to step up and who is not ready to step up - there you go. That's my view on the matter."

Heskey made his England debut in a 1-1 draw with Hungary in 1998 when he became the 1094th player to win a cap.

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He made 62 appearances and scored seven goals for England, with his last match a 4-1 2010 FIFA World Cup loss to Germany in South Africa.

But Heskey said the Socceroos must go to Brazil with a clear and realistic mindset to make an impact.

"You want to go to a tournament confident, with no expectations, really, and with an enjoyment of the game,'' Heskey said.

(Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

"That's when you find that players get the best out of themselves.

"And then you'll see who are the real players and who aren't.

"As for Australia, I think you go into there with the belief you can get some results and you might unearth a star and if you do something like that you're on a winner."

But after making his A-League season debut at Coopers Stadium against Adelaide United on Saturday, Heskey said he was a fan of the new-age style hitting Australia.

Pic SARAH REED. Source: News Limited

With Jets and Adelaide in the midst of transforming their sides to play possession-based attacking soccer, Heskey said today's trend is global.

"The game will evolve throughout the world - it's not just in the A-League,'' Heskey said.

"If you go back as far as 20 years - and that's not really that far in the game - and you compare the players who were playing then to the players who are playing now, they've changed.

"The physique, the way they train, the way they live their lives, everything has changed. Everyone now wants to play sexy football, attractive football, so it's going to change."

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Tomic hits out at Cash, Masur

John Tomic says he and son, Bernard, remain strong despite criticism. Source: KLEIN MICHAEL / Supplied

John Tomic said he's disappointed with the agendas being waged by Pat Cash and Wally Masur and launched a spirited family defence amid calls for Bernard to sever ties with him.

But while their opinions differed he hoped the former Aussie tennis aces and the rest of the public would get behind his son for January's Australian Open and beyond.

The under siege father of Bernard and rising star Sara said a coaching appointment for Tomic was imminent, but has vowed he to remain part of his son's team.

A defiant Tomic, who is barred from the 2013 Australian Open due to a 12-month ATP Tour ban that followed a Spanish court conviction for assault, said Bernard is aiming to become world no.1.

Tomic, whose family relocated to Melbourne last month, is frustrated at attempts from many high-profile identities' attempts to drive a wedge between him and Bernard but hoped everyone could eventually move on as he aims to emulate the great Rod Laver.

``With all due respect to Pat Cash and Wally Masur I hope that they both get behind Bernard and help him and Australia have the number one tennis player in the world,'' Tomic said.

``Some people have tried to get under our skin but we're ok, we're like a rock, we've got no problems. We have always been behind each other.

``Every business and sport has turbulence, but we're fine. We've had turbulence but I'm still confident that we can achieve success and reach our targets and Bernard will lift more trophies.

130625 Bernard Tomic Source: AFP

``A coaching announcement will be made soon. But I'll be involved, in the background, I'll be behind my son. I'm part of his life.

``Our ambition is clear, that's Bernard's wish is to be number one in the world. He has the opportunity to achieve this and hopefully achieve the heights of the most respected Australian player in the world Rod Laver.

``I know this is a big ask but if my son can have a person to look up too it would be Rod Laver.''

Tomic Sr also thanked the Australian public on behalf of his son, who is in Monte Carlo but will return to Australia in a fortnight to commence his preparations for the grand slam.

The 21-year-old will be aiming to surpass his best grand slam result of reaching Wimbledon's quarter finals in 2011, while his best result in Melbourne is his 2012 fourth round finish.

``All I can ask and hope for is that the Australian public is to get behind my son and continue the amazing support he receives whenever he plays here,'' Tomic Sr said.

``It is so refreshing and overwhelming the constant support Bernard gets from his supporters and gives us hope that he can one day realise his full potential.

``I would also like to personally thank the Australian public in the support that they have shown my son and I will make every effort in helping him achieve this.''

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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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