Queensland star Buffering could have the honour of being the first horse to set foot on the new Eagle Farm track.
Buffering is back in full work as he prepares for his departure in three weeks to tackle races in Dubai and Hong Kong.
The six-time Group One winner is likely to have several public gallops before he leaves including, hopefully, one on the new course proper at Eagle Farm.
The track will re-open for racing on May 11 but Brisbane Race Club officials hope it will be ready for gallops within a month.
However, a final decision will not be made until an inspection in the next fortnight.
Buffering is being set for the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in Dubai on March 26 and the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in Hong Kong on May 1.
Buffering hasn’t raced since winning the $1 million Magic Millions Plate in early January and spent 10 days in a paddock before being put back into light training.
He had his vaccinations and returned to trainer Rob Heathcote’s stables where he has gradually built up his workload.
Heathcote said Buffering would be floated to Sydney and then leave for Dubai on March 14.
“It is a 14 hour trip to Dubai but he is a good traveller and I don’t expect any problems,” Heathcote said.
“After the Al Quoz he will have ten days in Dubai before flying to Hong Kong for the Chairman’s Sprint.
“There will be several Hong Kong horses in Dubai but for quarantine reasons he can’t fly with them.”
Buffering will be ridden by Damian Browne in his overseas races but the jockey will first have some Sydney assignments.
Browne will ride Queensland mare Tinto in the Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick on Saturday and is also in line for the ride on the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Rich Enuff at the same meeting.
