Robert Heathcote Sets Buffering For Victory Stakes
Courtesy of The Courier-Mail 
A SLICK track gallop from Buffering has encouraged trainer Robert Heathcote to mark in return to racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The ultra-consistent Buffering has been entered for weight-for-age Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m).
Also in the Victory will be stablemate Woorim who was Buffering's galloping mate over 1000m at Eagle Farm last Saturday. "They went at a solid tempo from the 1000 metres but really quickened to race pace from the 600 metres," Heathcote said.
"I wanted Buffering to have a good test. He's been a bit behind with a frustrating little niggle in the past few weeks.
"But he stepped up to the mark nicely in the gallop. There was nothing between the two horses at the finish.
"Larry (Cassidy) said the horse felt good after the gallop. He said he was above 90 per cent fit and there will be further improvement this week."
Buffering has not started since finishing fourth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight on October 30.
That was his only unplaced run in 11 starts which have yielded six wins.
If Buffering runs well first up, Heathcote may even send him in against Black Caviar in the BTC Cup at Doomben a fortnight later.
"I'm quite happy to have a run for second money ($80,000)," Heathcote added.
Heathcote is hopeful of running Fillydelphia in the Gunsynd Classic over 1600m.
He conceded Fillydelphia was a little disappointing last run when tenth over 1350m at Doomben nine days ago.
"She still get a prominent mention in the stewards report for being held up for a run and she wasn't beaten that far, I'd say she was just slightly off her game on the day," Heathcote said.
A SLICK track gallop from Buffering has encouraged trainer Robert Heathcote to mark in return to racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The ultra-consistent Buffering has been entered for weight-for-age Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m).
Also in the Victory will be stablemate Woorim who was Buffering's galloping mate over 1000m at Eagle Farm last Saturday. "They went at a solid tempo from the 1000 metres but really quickened to race pace from the 600 metres," Heathcote said.
"I wanted Buffering to have a good test. He's been a bit behind with a frustrating little niggle in the past few weeks.
"But he stepped up to the mark nicely in the gallop. There was nothing between the two horses at the finish.
"Larry (Cassidy) said the horse felt good after the gallop. He said he was above 90 per cent fit and there will be further improvement this week."
Buffering has not started since finishing fourth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight on October 30.
That was his only unplaced run in 11 starts which have yielded six wins.
If Buffering runs well first up, Heathcote may even send him in against Black Caviar in the BTC Cup at Doomben a fortnight later.
"I'm quite happy to have a run for second money ($80,000)," Heathcote added.
Heathcote is hopeful of running Fillydelphia in the Gunsynd Classic over 1600m.
He conceded Fillydelphia was a little disappointing last run when tenth over 1350m at Doomben nine days ago.
"She still get a prominent mention in the stewards report for being held up for a run and she wasn't beaten that far, I'd say she was just slightly off her game on the day," Heathcote said.
