Star Queensland sprinter Buffering sent a chilling warning to his Group One BTC Cup rivals with a slashing seven-length victory in the Coca-Cola Amatil Handicap at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Buffering, ridden by Jim Byrne, made a one-act affair of the 1200-metre weight-for-race race leading all the way to defeat former glamour sprinter Scenic Blast ($13).
Moneysaver ($61) finished third, a further three quarters of a length away.
The major flop came from Adebisi ($3.50) who finished last, more than 22 lengths from the winner.
Stewards immediately vetted Adebisi and questioned trainer Desleigh Forster and rider Chris Munce who were both stunned by the four-year-old’s performance.
“There’s nothing wrong with him but I could see he was in trouble as soon as they jumped,” Forster told stewards.
“His action wasn’t right 100 metres after the start but he didn’t handle the wet track.”
Despite the flop Forster is happy for a rematch with Buffering in the BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday week provided Adebisi recovers satisfactorily.
Trainer Rob Heathcote believes Buffering is a worthy BTC Cup favourite.
The gelding was at $2.80 with TAB Sportsbet following his Eagle Farm win with Sydney gallopers Pinwheel and Sea Siren next best at $7.
“He’s been racing against the best two sprinters in the world in Black Caviar and Hay List and he put them to the sword today,” Heathcote said.
“The plan was for him to lead. I told Jim he’s led Black Caviar and Hay List and there was no way I wanted Adebisi to lead him.”
Heathcote praised Racing Queensland Limited for its decision to add the weight-for-age race to Wednesday’s program following the wash out of last Saturday’s Group Two Victory Stakes meeting.
“It was a good decision as he’s an important horse for Queensland racing in the winter,” Heathcote said.
“I’ve seen the BTC Cup noms and he’ll trim up a point or two further now.
“He’s proven at weight-for-age and the others aren’t but I was a little surprised at the ease of his win.”
Buffering’s victory capped a big day for Heathcote who also won the Group Three Gunsynd Classic (1600m) with Trump.
Trump ($3.30) stormed home to edge out Goldslick ($31) by a long neck with Brambles ($3.20 fav) a further 1-3/4 lengths away third.
“I thought he was a good thing beaten behind Morning Captain last start and he’ll go on to the Rough Habit Plate next,” Heathcote said.
“He’s a work in progress and I’ve taken him to Rockhampton and Melbourne.
“I’m sure he’ll get 2000 metres and he’s nominated for the Derby but we’ll see how he goes first over 2000 metres in the Rough Habit Plate.”
