Trainer Rob Heathcote’s plan to ambush star galloper Lankan Rupee in Friday’s Group One Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley has come unstuck through an unlikely source.
Queensland’s three time Horse of the Year, Buffering ran second to Samaready in the Moir last year at the start of a campaign which eventually resulted in three Group One wins.
Buffering – Moir Stakes 2014
Buffering, who heads to Melbourne on Tuesday, won the Moir when it was a Group Two race in 2012.
Heathcote has been thrilled with Buffering who had his winter carnival campaign cut short after running third to Spirit of Boom in the Doomben 10,000 in May.
“He couldn’t have won the Stradbroke with the weight he would have got so I decided to give him a good break with the spring in mind,” Heathcote said.
“I think that decision is going to reap dividends.”
Heathcote said he could not be happier with Buffering and his two jump out wins in the lead up to the Moir had been outstanding.
“I was hoping to sneak into Melbourne and ambush Lankan Rupee and co. Then I see Damian (jockey Browne) in the media saying how well Buffering is going.”
“Usually you can’t get him to say two words. I think he is fired up after missing out on the jockey of the year award. Our ambush plans have been nobbled by our own camp,” Heathcote said.
Buffering’s main aim this year will be the International Sprint in Hong Kong in December.
Buffering has won jump-outs by 10 lengths and four lengths in the past fortnight but has not had an official trial.
Meanwhile, Heathcote’s impressive mare Sea Red will have to step up another few places before heading south this spring.
