Buffering in line for fifth Qld title

Buffering is on the verge of being named Queensland’s Horse of the Year for an unprecedented fifth time.

The star sprinter won three Group One races last season highlighted by the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai in March.

He was injured in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong won by Chautauqua but has now recovered with trainer Robert Heathcote hopeful the nine-year-old can defend the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 30.

“Buff’s back at Eagle Farm and he looks really well, were happy with his progress,” Heathcote told Racing Queensland.

“He looks as good as he’s ever looked at the start of a spring preparation.

“It’s still early days but at the moment were looking at the Group One Moir Stakes at Moonee Valle. He’s won that one three times and run a second.

“Then possibly the Group One Manikato Stakes three weeks later.”

Buffering’s long-time partner Damian Browne has been nominated for the Jockey of the Year award against this year’s metropolitan premiership winner Jeff Lloyd, four-time premiership winner Jim Byrne and leading apprentice James Orman.

NOMINEES FOR QUEENSLAND AWARDS:

Horse of the Year: Buffering, Miss Cover Girl, Eagle Way

Jockey of the Year: Damian Browne, Jim Byrne, James Orman, Jeff Lloyd

Trainer of the Year: Robert Heathcote, Tony Gollan, Kelly Schweida, Bryan Guy

Apprentice of the Year: James Orman, Luke Dittman, Sarah Eilbeck, Josh Oliver

4YO & Older: Buffering, Miss Cover Girl, Worthy Cause, Tinto, Hopfgarten

3YO: Eagle Way, Kebede, I’m Belucci, Sold For Song

2YO: Nikitas, Dream’s Aplenty, Charnley River, Royal Tithe, Zelady’s Night Out

Rookie: Brooke Ainsworth, Stephanie Lacy, Hannah English

Hall of Fame: Horse: Mollys Robe, Basha, Felika, Mode, Earlwood. Jockey: Fred Shean, Ken Russell, Chris Munce, Noel Best. Trainer: George Anderson, Eric Kirwan, Con Doyle. Associate: PJ O’Shea, JC Anderson, Albert Sakzewski.