Trainer Rob Heathcote has already begun planning Melbourne autumn returns for stable stars Woorim and Buffering.
Heathcote, Queensland’s premier trainer, is yet to train a Group One winner after both sprinters came up short during the spring carnival.
Heathcote has been placed at elite level twice during his 12-year training career, the latest with Buffering who was runner-up to wonder mare Black Caviar in the Group One Patinack Farm Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Woorim’s hopes of giving Heathcote a breakthrough Group One win ended on the same day when the six-year-old struck trouble in the straight when seventh to Albert The Fat in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m).
Woorim came closest to giving Heathcote his cherished prize when a close third to Response in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last year.
“It’s been a bit frustrating trying to win a Group One but both of them ran very well in Melbourne this time,” Heathcote said.
“It’s getting a little frustrating and I hope to get my revenge in Melbourne next year,” Heathcote said.
“I’ve been unlucky in three Group Ones now and two of them were $1 million races.
“Woorim was very unlucky in last year’s Sir Rupert Clarke and again in the (Group One) Stradbroke Handicap during the winter and now in the Emirates.
“If Michael Rodd had the ride over again on Woorim in the Emirates I’m sure he would have come to the outside instead of looking for runs through the field.”
Woorim and Buffering have arrived back in Queensland and are spelling ahead of Heathcote’s autumn plans for the pair.
“They’ve both arrived back and are spelling at Washpool Lodge before they come back into work for the Newmarket Handicap next year,” Heathcote said.
The Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) will be run at Flemington in March.
Heathcote plans to keep the pair apart before their Newmarket clash with Woorim headed for the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield while Buffering will be aimed for the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.
Woorim started six times in Melbourne this spring winning a 1200-metre race at Moonee Valley in September and the Group Three Tabcorp Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last month.
Buffering’s best performances in four starts came with his Group Three McEwen Stakes victory at Moonee Valley in September and his fighting effort to chase home Black Caviar in the Patinack Farm.
AAP TURF
