Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote concedes Buffering is running for second place behind unbeaten champion Black Caviar who is chasing her 16th straight win in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington.
Buffering is one of only six Black Caviar challengers and three of them are her stablemates Mid Summer Music, Curtana and Panipique.
Former Australian Racehorse of the Year Scenic Blast and Response make up the field with Buffering.
TAB Sportsbet opened Black Caviar at $1.05 on Wednesday ahead of Mid Summer Music ($16) and Buffering ($21).
Heathcote said Buffering could have avoided a clash with Black Caviar by running in last Saturday’s Group Two Salinger Stakes but felt it was easier chasing the Patinack second prize of $180,000 rather than trying to win the Derby day sprint.
“I even said when I first made the plan to bypass the Salinger and go for this race that we were running for second place,” Heathcote said.
“In my eyes, the only way Black Caviar will ever get beaten is by misfortune – for her to break down or pull a muscle or the like, but that is not something I would ever wish on anyone, let alone my mate Peter Moody,” Heathcote said.
The only time Buffering has met Black Caviar was when he was beaten nearly seven lengths into third place behind her and Hay List in the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben in May.
“We’ve run third to her before in a Group One and it felt like a win and if he finishes second to her this time it will feel even better,” Heathcote said.
Most recently Buffering has come up against champion three-year-old Sepoy.
Buffering took on the Peter Snowden-trained colt for the lead when they first met in the Group One Manikato Stakes on September 30 but gassed himself in the process and finished fourth.
Last start he was ridden less aggressively and pulled up sore behind when sixth to Sepoy in the Group Two Caulfield Sprint on Caulfield Cup day.
Nash Rawiller replaces Damien Browne on Buffering and will be having his second ride on the four-year-old after steering him to victory in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in October last year.
Heathcote said he would not burden Rawiller with instructions but expects Buffering will be in the firing line all the way from barrier five while Black Caviar is on his immediate inside in gate four.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we take it up (in front) to be honest,” Heathcote said.
“I will leave that to Nash but having a quick glance at the field it looks like it will be us leading.”
Buffering has won eight of his 19 starts and with earnings of $923,900 can pass the $1 million mark with third place in the Patinack Farm.
AAP TURF
