A maiden Group One win for star Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote could be just around the corner after one his stable stars Buffering scored a stunning win in today’s Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
The outstanding three-year-old led throughout in beating a quality field of older rivals and immediately he had Heathcote thinking of the Stradbroke Handicap.
But before he runs in Brisbane’s richest race, Buffering is set to clash with Melbourne’s superstar sprinter Black Caviar in the BTC Cup next month.
“He’s proven he’s a Group One performer and he’s a very good three-year-old,” Heathcote told AAP.
“The knockers will probably come out now and say he got away with a soft run in front.”
“But the Galaxy winner (fellow Magic Millions graduate Atomic Force) came at us yet we still pulled away.”
“The winner of this race today is exempt from the ballot for the Stradbroke – so he’s straight into the Stradbroke now and that is his goal.”
Winning rider Larry Cassidy couldn’t have been more impressed with the winning performance of Buffering.
“What he did today was above my expectations,” Cassidy noted.
At the post Buffering ($3-$3.20-$3 fav) held a comprehensive length and a quarter margin over last start Group One winner Atomic Force ($3.30-$3.90).
Toowoomba sprinter Azzaland ($7-$7.50) was another length and a half back in third place – just ahead of quality gallopers Albert the Fat and Woorim who impressed in their first up performances.
Buffering is now the winner of seven of his twelve starts and earned a staggering $718,900 – he’s missed a place just once, when fourth in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
A son of Mossman, Buffering was purchased by leading New Zealand bloodstock agent Paul Willetts for just $22,000 from the Racetree draft at the inaugural Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast in 2009.
He is one of three winners, from three to race, for the Sydney winning Anabaa mare Action Annie.
Action Annie, who was successful at 1200 metres, is a half sister to the international stakes performers Instant Strike and Don’t Go Crazy.
She in turn is from a Be My Guest half sister to international stakes winners Wait Till Monday, Rare Holiday and Token Gesture – the latter being the dam of stakes winners Relaxed Gesture and Evolving Tactics.
Winner: Buffering (Mossman-Action Annie)
Race: BRC Victory Stakes G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $22,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale
Vendor: Racetree
Buyer: Paul Willetts
Earnings: $718,900
Owner(s): Mrs V Heathcote, M Vrlic, S Krslovic, C Moore, Z Kalac, S Chipperfield, C Lord, Crafty Racing Syndicate, Aspariamo Racing Syndicate & B Harry
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
PICS – Dan Costello.
