The Mike Moroney stable will have a two-pronged attack on one of the feature races on Easter Saturday at Sandown.
Buffalo River will run first-up in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) in which he will be joined by last start winner Not An Option.
US-bred Buffalo River has not raced since finishing seventh in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m), but Moroney said the seven-time winner from 33 starts was in good order for his return.
Moroney wonders however whether the seven-year-old, now being an older horse, has done enough work for his first-up tilt.
“Buffalo is always good fresh up and he gives you a good sight in front,” Moroney said.
“He seems really good, and he’s trialled up nice enough. I’m happy with him.
“But he’s his own worst enemy. He’s a leader and everyone knows that so they can plan to beat him.
“And he’s getting older, so I hope I’ve done enough with him, but being older you wonder if you have done enough, but he looks well.”
Buffalo River’s last victory came in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in October 2021.
Moroney concedes that Group 3 level is possibly his mark now after the gelding had just failed to claim a Group 1 win when second to Mr Quickie in the 2020 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
“This is probably his mark,” Moroney said of Saturday’s Group 3 contest.
“He’s a Group 2, Group 3 sort of horse. He has been competitive in those Group 1’s in handicaps, but he did find the Group 1’s just a little bit tough for him, especially in recent times.”
While it has been 18 months since Buffalo River last tasted success, Not An Option recorded a comfortable win over fellow Victoria Handicap acceptor Cardinal Gem over 1400m at Flemington on March 25.
“He’s coming off a nice win and hopefully he can string it together,” Moroney said.
“He hasn’t been able to as a rule and needs things going his way, but he’s got the talent.”
