MOSSMAN gelding Buffering is rated an even money chance to finally record a much deserved Group 1 win in tonight’s MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
The Robert Heathcote trained galloper has famously finished in the placings on seven occasions in Group 1 races most of them narrowly and most behind the likes of Black Caviar and Hay List.
Buffering heads into tonight’s Manikato is splendid order having posted back to back wins in the Group 2 Moir and Schillaci Stakes at his first two runs this spring.
Buffering has already won just over $2 million for connections.
He is one of 20 individually stakeswinners sires (plus 15 stakesplaced) by Mossman including Group 1 winner Ofcourseican, Love Conquers All, Segments, Stirling Grove, Neeson etc.
Buffering has drawn barrier 1 in his Manikato quest which sees him lock horns with Ready To Rip (by More Than Ready) who finished 0.2-lens second behind him in the Moir at the Valley on September 28.
ALL the staff and team here at Vinery send our deepest condolences to trainer Richard Jolly and connections of the Mossman son Stirling Grove who died suddenly last weekend after some trackwork.
“We’re all pretty upset…he worked fine,” Richard Jolly said.
“He was back in his yard and then collapsed and we’re not exactly sure what went wrong.”
Stirling Grove had been a wonderful horse throughout since winning the Fulham Park Plate by nine lengths on debut as a 2YO.
He went on to win another six times including a Group 3 and place in Group One compeny earning almost $550,000.
Other highlights included a win on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington as well as consecutive seconds in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes behind Black Caviar (in 2011) and Mossman ace Buffering a matter of two weeks ago.
Stirling Grove also ran third in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap.
