Buffering eyes big prize in battle with Chautauqua in Hong Kong

BUFFERING has stared down countless rivals during his career and on Wednesday in Hong Kong, he lined up the world’s highest-rated sprinter Chautauqua as his next victim.

Rob Heathcote captured the moment as Buffering and Chautauqua crossed paths at Sha Tin on Wednesday.

BUFFERING has stared down countless rivals during his glittering career and on Wednesday in Hong Kong, he lined up the world’s highest-rated sprinter Chautauqua as his next victim.

The pair are barnmates in the international quarantine centre at Sha Tin, where they are preparing for Sunday’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

Buffering’s trainer Rob Heathcote concedes taking on Chautauqua, who holds a 3-0 lead in their head-to-head meetings, is even more daunting than his last-start win in Dubai.

“I’ve seen Chautauqua at the races before but over here I’ve been able to see him morning, day and night and he’s a pretty impressive unit,” Heathcote said of the dynamic grey.

“Gee he worked well on Tuesday and there’s no doubt he’s settled in really well here. He’s ticking all the boxes.”

But Heathcote has long ago learnt never to write off his ageless warrior and he rates him in similar form to that which took him to success in the Al Quoz Sprint win last month.

“He’s just loving life and has a real zest and enthusiasm for what he’s doing at the moment,” he said. “He bit me the other day which is a symbol that he’s feeling pretty good about himself.”

Heathcote has been in Hong Kong for the past week and admits it would be a pretty good life to get used to — barring one thing.

“It’s a pretty civilised life they live here. It’s 7.30 starts every morning (compared to 3.30am at home) and we’ve been looked after like kings, just as we were in Dubai,” he said.

“But this humidity is something else. I know we get it back home in Queensland, but nothing like it is here. It’s 95 per cent humidity every day.”

The barrier draw for the Chairman’s Sprint prize will be held at 12.15pm AEST on Thursday.

Originally published as Buffering eyes big prize in battle with Chautauqua in Hong Kong