Mossman galloper Buffering has been named the 2011-12 Queensland Horse of the Year beating fellow finalists Pear Tart, Sizzling, Temple of Boom and Woorim.

Buffering’s feature win came in the Group 3 MVRC Ian McEwen Stakes (1000m) but it was his repeated clashes with super star mare Black Caviar and Hay List that stood him apart from his Queensland raced rivals.

The Robert Heathcote trained gelding was runner-up in a total of four Group 1 races once behind Black Caviar in the Patinack, the other his brave nose second to Hay List in the Newmarket.

Buffering has won 9 of his 26 starts to date with 11 placings – 7 of those at Group 1 level – and earnings of $1.71 million.

Part-owned by former Socceroos Zjelko Kalac, Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield, he is a son of Vinery sire Mossman and was purchased for just $22,000 from the Racetree draft at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS yearling sale.

In accepting the award, Heathcote announced that Buffering would resume in the Group 2 MRC Schillaci Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 13.

“I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s the best I’ve ever had him,” the trainer said.

“I plan to give him and Excellantes an exhibition gallop between races at Doomben in a couple of weeks before they go to Melbourne later this month.”

 

Buffering is one of three winners produced by Sydney winning mare Action Annie. She is a half sister to the international stakes performers Instant Strike and Don’t Go Crazy.

 

MEANWHILE, Upshot’s impressive win at Warwick Farm last Saturday showed another side to Buffering’s sire, Mossman, who is making an early impression as a broodmare sire.

Upshot’s dam, Reshoot, is a member of Mossman’s second crop of foals and from the same family as reigning Doomben 10,000 winner, Sea Siren, as well as the high class Perth sisters Hold That Smile and Carry A Smile.

Upshot has now won 4 of his 7 career starts including two of this last three.

The gelding was bred and is raced by Peter and Wendy Moran who are responsible for two stallions on the Vinery roster – Mossman and Excites – together with a host of other top shelf gallopers.

Mossman is the broodmare sire of 18 winners from 35 starters with one stakes winner already to his credit namely Benny’s Buttons who won the Group 3 BRC Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) and was runner-up in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas.