Trainer Rob Heathcote’s hopes of celebrating his first home-town Group One win have been dealt a blow with favourite Buffering drawing wide in the BTC Cup at Doomben.
Buffering has been a short-priced favourite for Saturday’s 1200 metre feature following his outstanding autumn performances against Black Caviar and Hay List and a seven length win at Eagle Farm last start.
His price with TAB Sportsbet eased only fractionally to $2.60 despite the four-year-old drawing barrier 14 in the 15-horse BTC Cup field.
The John O’Shea-trained Sea Siren, barrier five, is on the second line of betting at $7 with Beaded (barrier eight) and Neeson (nine) next in the markets at $9.
It wasn’t all bad news for Heathcote with Woorim, who gave Heathcote his first Group One win in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield earlier this year, drawing gate seven.
Queensland’s other recent Group One winner Temple Of Boom also drew badly with the outside barrier 15.
Trainer Tony Gollan was bitterly disappointed with Temple Of Boom’s alley but gained some consolation when his half-brother Spirit Of Boom came up with gate two.
Heathcote was reluctant to reveal tactics with Buffering immediately after the barrier draw.
Buffering has won nine races during his career and on every occasion he has led.
“I thought Buffering was nearly a good thing up until the barrier draw but his alley opens up the race now,” Heathcote said.
“Adebisi and Satin Shoes have a lot of speed inside us so that will makes things keen but I’d love my two to swap alleys.
“Buffering is proven at weight-for-age and is still the form runner after his efforts against the world’s two best sprinters Black Caviar and Hay List in Melbourne.
“I’ll probably leave it to Nash Rawiller to decide how best to ride him but I’m tipping we’ll be leading again.
“There’s no better judge than Nash Rawiller on a frontrunner.”
Gollan will also let rider James McDonald decide whether Temple Of Boom takes up a forward position.
“We certainly won’t be pushing him to go with Buffering,” Gollan said.
“Temple Of Boom’s draw is disappointing but I’m rapt with Spirit Of Boom’s draw.
“He’ll get an economical run now which is what we want as he’s getting ready for the Stradbroke.”
Heathcote believes Woorim isn’t without a chance if the race is run at a fast tempo.
Woorim hasn’t raced since finishing last in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 7 but showed he appreciates a fast clip by coming from last on the home turn to win the Group One Oakleigh Plate in February.
