Buffering claims second Winterbottom Stakes, Dubai trip on the agenda

GRAND sprinter Buffering ­recorded his sixth Group 1 win and his second Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in trademark lead-all-the-way fashion.

SPORT - Super Saturday, Ascot, Perth. Photo by Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED - Race 7, Buffering ridden by Damian Browne wins the Winterbottom Stakes

GRAND sprinter Buffering ­recorded his sixth Group 1 win and his second Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in trademark lead-all-the-way fashion.

Having snared victory in the $1 million sprint, trainer Robert Heathcote unveiled an ambitious 2016 for his star veteran.

Heathcote said Buffering would head to the Gold Coast for the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1100m) on January 9 and then the Brisbane trainer plans to travel the world with him.

“During the week I received a call from Dubai inviting us there to run in March and it sounds a nice place to visit and after that there’s a place called Royal Ascot I’d be keen to visit,” Heathcote said.

Heathcote was referring to Dubai World Cup Day and also Royal Ascot in June which both conduct rich sprints.

“He’s an eight-year-old but he’s such a good traveller as he showed again over here,” he said.

Buffering was contesting his 31st Group 1 race — his 30th in Australia, which is a record. He has won six of them and has been placed in 13 others.

He took his earnings to $5.7 million in what was his 50th start.

Heathcote said part of the buzz he got from Buffering was that the crowd loved the horse.

“It’s probably because he got kicked around by the likes of Black Caviar, Hay List and Sepoy before he could win a Group 1 race,” he said.

Damian Browne returns to scale after Buffering’s win. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Heathcote admitted to a pang of concern on the turn as he thought Buffering would be further in front, but said a lot of the credit must go to jockey Damian Browne, who just “clicks” with the horse.

“I was worried around the corner. I thought he’s done a bit of work and I wasn’t sure how much he had left in him,” he said.

“Also I thought he would be two lengths in front at that stage but Damian understands the horse so well.

“I’ve said so many times how proud I am of (Buffering) and what a wonderful horse he is. He’s a real fighter.”

Browne didn’t share Heathcote’s fears, however.

“He hadn’t worked that hard in the run so I was confident in the run and I knew he had a kick left,” Browne said.

Buffering was heavily backed throughout the week.

He was $4.40 before the barrier draw but went to the line a $2.50 favourite.

For the second consecutive year Watermans Bay, backed from $11 into $9, finished second, a length behind Buffering.

Another eastern states sprinter, the David Hayes/Tom Dabernig-trained Fast’N’Rocking ($7), rocketed home after being held up for a run in the straight to finish 1¾ lengths third.