Trainer Rob Heathcote is chasing champion Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller for the ride on star sprinter Buffering in next month’s Group One BTC Cup at Doomben.
Buffering will return to racing in Queensland in Saturday’s Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm with jockey Jim Byrne taking over from regular rider Damian Browne.
Browne has commitments in Adelaide next Saturday and beyond, allowing Byrne to deputise in the Victory Stakes.
Byrne rode Buffering in an exhibition gallop between races at Eagle Farm last week.
Buffering stamped himself as one of the country’s best sprinters during a three-start Melbourne autumn campaign where he was placed three times at Group One level.
He ran third in the Lightning Stakes won by Black Caviar, second to Hay List in the Newmarket Handicap and third in the William Reid won by Foxwedge.
Heathcote has been asked by Buffering’s owners to offer the ride on Buffering to Rawiller who has been in devastating form during the Sydney autumn carnival.
His major Group One wins have included the Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce Stakes on Pierro and Doncaster Mile on More Joyous for champion trainer Gai Waterhouse.
“Jim (Byrne) is booked to ride Buffering in the Victory Stakes with Damian riding in Adelaide,” Heathcote said.
“But Jim’s booking is only for the Victory Stakes and we’ve approached Nash to ride him in the BTC Cup as Damian is likely to be away that day as well.
“There’s no doubting Nash is the best rider in the country.”
Rawiller said on Sunday he had not made any commitments that far ahead with Foxwedge also slated to head to the Doomben race.
Buffering is also being aimed at the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 26 but Heathcote is holding off finding a rider for the weight-for-age sprint.
Heathcote endured a frustrating day at the office at Eagle Farm on Saturday with three placings in Listed features.
“Hopefully my luck will change next Saturday with Buffering,” he said.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s going.
“He’s going super and hopefully he can defend his title he claimed by winning last year’s Victory Stakes.”
