Star Brisbane sprinter Buffering kicked away his spring campaign in Melbourne in style when he won Friday night’s Group Two AJ Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

One of the country’s best and most consistent short course performers, Buffering recovered from a sluggish start to lead for much of the race and hold off fellow Magic Millions graduate Ready to Rip.

At the post a half neck separated the recently announced Queensland Horse of the Year and the former Queensland trained Ready to Rip. Another three parts of a length back in third place was Thankgodyou’rehere.

Winning trainer Robert Heathcote described the win as “courageous.”

“He just fights every time he goes around,” he said after the win. “He is full of courage.”

Winning rider Hugh Bowman said he had plenty of anxious moments early in the race when the son of Mossman was slow to begin.

“Once he missed the start I thought I was in trouble.”

“I had to use him and then it took him a while to get back into a nice rhythm and he wasn’t in a good rhythm until the 800 metre mark which makes the win all the better.”

“Once he gave a kick on the turn, I knew they’d struggle to run him down,” Bowman added.

A deserved Group One win is now on the agenda for the outstanding performer.

“There’s a month to the Manikato Stakes and that was part of the reasoning of coming here.”

“It was only two weeks ago when I went to give him a gallop between races at Doomben that not only did I like that gallop but it was the way he pulled up – he was kicking his brand off, squealing and kicking.”

“I realised I had the horse more forward than what I initially thought and I still had four weeks to the Schillaci Stakes and I thought – how the hell am I going to get this horse to the Schillaci!”

“I didn’t want to give him a trial because it’s been a proven strategy for his last three preps which is to bring them to the races with a touch of freshness and his courage carriers him the rest of the way.”

“He’s going to take a lot of improvement out of that run – he is having a big blow.”

“He’s a special little horse. Horses like Buffering make trainers like me look god, you can make a mistake and they can cover for it.”

Buffering’s record, which includes four group race wins and seven group one placings from just 27 runs, takes in 10 wins and earnings of over $1.96 million.

The gelding has turned out an incredible moneyspinner for connections considering his purchased by Heathcote’s good friend, New Zealand based bloodstock agent Paul Willetts for just $22,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale.

A Racetree graduate, Buffering is by Success Express’ Group One winning son Mossman and is one of four winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Action Annie.

A Sydney winning daughter of Anabaa, Action Annie is a half sister to the international stakes performers Don’t Go Crazy and Instant Strike.

Winner: Buffering
Breeding: Mossman-Action Annie (Anabaa)
Race: MVRC AJ Moir Stakes G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $22,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale
Vendor: Racetree
Buyer: Paul Willetts
Earnings: $1,963,900
Owner(s): Mrs V Heathcote, S Krslovic, C Moore, R Ciobo, S Chipperfield, C Lord, Crafty Racing Synd, Aspariamo Racing Synd & B Harry
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)