Who will blink first?
The take-no-prisoners racing patterns of Rain Affair and Buffering promises to make Saturday’s Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm a supreme test of sustained speed.
Rain Affair’s trainer Joe Pride says the five-year-old’s uncompromising racing style is unlikely to change despite the presence of Buffering.
“Buffering is a pretty sharp sprinter but my horse doesn’t like to surrender the lead so it’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out,” he said.
“Hopefully we won’t be carving each other up.”
The BTC Cup will be the second clash between the pair after they went head and head up the straight in last year’s Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
On that occasion Buffering shook off Rain Affair at the 200 metres but wasn’t able to withstand a late surge from Hay List who won by a half-head.
Buffering’s trainer Robert Heathcote isn’t concerned if Rain Affair again tries to pressure Buffering.
“Quite a few horses have tried over the years to take on Buffering only to come unstuck,” he said.
“The last time we met Rain Affair in the Newmarket we beat him quite easily and I’m positive Buffering is a better horse now than he was back then.”
Track conditions will also impact on the prospects of Rain Affair who is undefeated on tracks rated slow or heavy.
Fine weather is predicted leading up to Saturday’s meeting with only a shower or two predicted on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pride makes no secret of his admiration for Rain Affair who, like Buffering, is seeking his first Group One win on Saturday.
“He’s one of my favourite horses that I’ve ever trained because he’s a real fighter with a great will to win,” he said.
Rain Affair will be ridden by Hugh Bowman who was aboard Pride’s first Group One winner, Red Oog, in the 2005 Doomben 10,000.
Tony Gollan is leaning to running Spirit Of Boom in the BTC Cup rather than the Group One Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville the same day.
“He’s 80-20 to stay here because I’ve got the Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke in mind after Saturday and would prefer not to travel,” he said.
“It’s a long way to go to Adelaide if he drew wide and it’s a slowly run race.
“He needs the speed on and with Rain Affair in the race here that’s going to suit him ideally.”
