Robert Heathcote expects his already potent BTC Cup hand to be strengthened after Eagle Farm trackwork on Tuesday morning.
The trainer will put the finishing touches on pre-post favourite Buffering’s lead-up to the Doomben Group One sprint while assessing Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim for Saturday’s race.
“They will work together on the course proper at Eagle Farm,” Heathcote said.
“The work will top Buffering off nicely but it will also be a deciding factor if Woorim runs.
“I gave Woorim a good hit-out on Saturday and I was happy with what I saw.
“Providing he works well again there’s no reason why he won’t start.”
Heathcote said he was forced to cut short Woorim’s Sydney autumn campaign because of a minor virus.
“He picked up a bug in Sydney and he had ten days off to recover.”
Heathcote is convinced Woorim is at his best with his races spaced.
“You saw what he did in the Oakleigh Plate,” Heathcote said.
“Running 9.8 seconds for his last furlong to beat a top field of sprinters was extraordinary.
“With Buffering in the race on Saturday and a few others probably wanting to go with him the speed will be on and that will obviously suit Woorim.”
Damian Browne will continue his successful association with the six-year-old if he runs in the weight-for-age sprint.
Trackwork could have far more serious ramifications for Darley mare Beaded, last year’s Doomben 10,000 winner.
Trainer Peter Snowden has threatened to retire the $1.5 million earner if she doesn’t please him on Tuesday morning.
Beaded holds down the third line of BTC Cup betting at $9 and, if she is not among the acceptors, Buffering could firm from an already dominant $2.40 quote.
Since he trounced his rivals at Eagle Farm in a rescheduled weight-for-age lead-up last week, BTC Cup betting has been all one-way traffic in favour of Buffering.
“With Rain Affair, Nobby Snip and Pinwheel not going towards the BTC Cup, Buffering looks to have the race at his mercy,” TAB Sportsbet’s Matthew Jenkins said.
“The quality of opposition could thin even further if Peter Snowden decides to retire Beaded.”
Nash Rawiller, the standout jockey during the Sydney autumn carnival, will be reunited with Buffering after last riding the sprinter into second placing behind champion mare Black Caviar in the Patinack Farm Stakes in November.
Rawiller’s Doomben also includes Isopach, the Patinack Farm-owned three-year-old who will contest the Rough Habit Plate.
