Trainer Rob Heathcote has declared his hand with an early warning to Buffering’s rivals contemplating the role as leader in the Group Two Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm.
“They saw what Buffering did to Rain Affair in the Newmarket and the same will happen again if someone wants to take on Buffering for the lead,” Heathcote said.
Rain Affair and Buffering duelled for the lead in the Group One Newmarket (1200m) before the Queenslander got the upper hand only to go down in the last stride to Hay List.
The Joe Pride-trained Rain Affair went to Melbourne as Sydney’s pin-up sprinter following 10 straight wins but weakened to finish sixth in the Newmarket Handicap.
Buffering drew barrier two for Saturday’s 1200-metre weight-for-age feature with his main rival Adebisi drawing the outside gate in the five-horse field.
“It’s the perfect draw for Buffering with Adebisi out in five,” Heathcote said.
“It gives Jim Byrne the rail straight away and how the race is run will depend on how hard Chris Munce wants to go on Adebisi.
“Buffering is a proven bulldog in a stoush and I’ll let Jim decide what’s best to do.
“If Adebisi takes Buffering on for the lead, we’ll be there eyeballing him all the way just like what he did to Rain Affair.”
Trainer Desleigh Forster will give Munce a free hand in deciding tactics with Adebisi, a brilliant all-the way winner of the Listed Bribie Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on April 14.
“I’ll leave how he’s ridden to Chris,” Forster said.
“If he wants to lead he can. We all know how brilliant Adebisi is out out of the gates.”
Forster also had her own warning for those believing the Victory Stakes is a two-horse race between Adebisi and Buffering.
“Some people are falling for the trap that this is a two-horse race when it’s not,” she said.
“Spirit Of Boom is no slouch and who knows with old Scenic Blast, the change of environment may be just the thing he needs.”
Forster is confident Adebisi, who has come on in leaps and bounds since being gelded last year, is adaptable enough to take a sit if required.
“He can sit off the pace if need be but I’ll leave all that to Chris,” she said.
“If he’s going easy enough Chris could easily go to the front on him.”
Forster ensured Adebisi would be mentally tough for his Victory Stakes showdown with a trip to the beach this week.
Buffering is attempting to defend his title after winning last year’s Victory Stakes.
As well as his second in the Newmarket Handicap, Buffering also finished third to Black Caviar in the Group One Lightning Stakes and third to Foxwedge in the Group One William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley during the autumn in Melbourne.
