The absence of Black Caviar from this year’s Spring Carnival could provide star Queensland sprinter Buffering with his first chance to race overseas.
While trainer Robert Heathcote said Buffering’s Melbourne plans would be unchanged by Tuesday’s announcement about Black Caviar’s immediate future, the Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Sha Tin in December was now a realistic target for the son of Mossman.
“With Black Caviar not going to be there, I think Hong Kong very much comes into the reckoning for him now,” Heathcote said.
The Hong Kong Sprint is part of the Global Sprint Challenge and Black Caviar would have been racing for a $1million bonus in this year’s renewal.
Heathcote said an upcoming Melbourne spring campaign for Buffering had the potential for at least two clashes with Black Caviar if the unbeaten mare was put back into work.
“Her not being around in Melbourne doesn’t change our thinking. Buffering will still start off in the Schillaci Stakes and then head to the Manikato Stakes and then the Patinack Farm Classic. If she was going to be there for the spring we would have run into her again.”
Buffering is due back in Heathcote’s Eagle Farm stable next week.
“He’ll be coming back into the stable on Monday. I wanted to give him a good spell to get over the gruelling effects of the Stradbroke run,” he added.
Meanwhile another son of Mossman, Love Conquers All retires to stud in Queensland this year.
