Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote led in his latest winner by Mossman when promising filly Cushion Pink powered home to a narrow victory at Doomben.
Cushion Pink carried the stable’s successful black and pink checked colours second-up in the BRC Social Member Maiden (1110m) on Wednesday. She was in the market at $5 after a debut placing at the Sunshine Coast last month.
“I don’t keep records but we must have won 50 races with Mossman,” Heathcote said. “After all, Buffering and Hopfgarten have won 30 races between them.”
Mossman stands for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee at Vinery and he finished the 2015-16 season with 81 winners of 131 races and earnings of $5.85 million.
Cushion Pink (3f Mossman – Pink Princess by Danehill) is bred to get over ground. Her dam won up to 1850m for Nick Moraitis and she’s a direct descendant of Champion Group 1 racehorse and broodmare Fanfreluche (Northern Dancer).
“That’s only her second lifetime start and she got the job done,” Heathcote added. “We might step her up to a Saturday race next.”
Meanwhile, Mossman’s champion sprinter Buffering is back in work at Eagle Farm to prepare for another spring campaign. “He did really well at Washpool Lodge after coming home from Hong Kong,” Heathcote said. “We paraded him on Stradbroke Day when they opened the ‘Buffering Bar’ and he carried on like a three-year-old colt in a stable full of fillies.
“He’s sound and looks well but, with older horses, you take it one day at a time. All going well, he will run in the (G1) Moir at Moonee Valley followed by the (G1) Winterbottom in Perth before returning home for the Magic Millions in January.”
Buffering will win an unprecedented fifth Horse of the Year title at Queensland’s annual awards ceremony next month.
