ACE Queensland sprinter Buffering’s $15 quote to win next Saturday’s Group 1 VRC Newmarket Stakes (1200m) is at odds with the gelding’s extraordinary record up the Flemington straight.
The son of Vinery Stud sire Mossman has been to Flemington four times starting with a second in the Group 2 VRC Danehill Stakes (1200m) followed by his dogged fourth in the Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud (1200m) to round off his 3YO spring campaign.
Buffering’s only other Flemington outings have been his last two starts, both of them placings behind the champion mare Black Caviar in the Patinack Stakes (2nd) and Lightning Stakes (3rd behind Haylist).
In fact Buffering has been the unlucky horse over the last year with three Gr.1 placings behind superstars, Black Caviar and Haylist.
”Buffering drops down form 58.5kg to 54.5kg for the Newmarket which means that he meets Hay List 4kgs better for their Lightning Stakes run,” Vinery’s Conor Phelan said.
”Buffering has run some fantastic races at Flemington, you have to remember he gave Black Caviar 2kg under the WFA scale in the Patinack and was beaten under 3-lens that day.
”He acts on good to heavy and he has second-up in the past. He’s just such a tough horse and always gives his best. He has only finished further back than fourth twice in his 21 starts and he’s won over $1.1 million.”
