Sixth Group 1 For Buffering in the Winterbottom

While Buffering does not boast the international acclaim of some of the past winners of this race–like Ortensia (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}), Miss Andretti (Aus) (Ihtiram {Ire}) and Takeover Target (Aus) (Celtic Swing {GB})–he has nonetheless been a force in the Australia sprinting ranks for five years running, seeing out the eras of superstars like Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality) and Hay List (Aus) (Statue of Liberty) to earn nearly A$6 million. Buffering reached another milestone in his career Saturday when collecting his sixth Group 1 win in Ascot’s G1 Winterbottom S., in which he was victorious two years ago. Rested most of this year after a trip to Hong Kong last December–when he finished sixth, beaten less than four lengths–in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, Buffering showed no ill effects of old age when winning the G1 Moir S. for the second year running first-up at Moonee Valley Oct. 2. He had to settle for fifth behind Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in the G1 Manikato S. over that strip three weeks later, and was beaten a half-length when fourth in the G1 Darley Classic. Nov. 7. Trainer Robert Heathcote said after Saturday’s score–which established a new race record time–that Buffering would aim for the A$10 million card for Magic Millions graduates on the Gold Coast Jan. 9 before a possible trip to Dubai.

“It is something I hadn’t even told some of the owners,” Heathcote said of Buffering’s Dubai invite. “The world is Buff’s oyster. He’s eight years old–he’s won two Group 1s this prep. If he comes through that [the Gold Coast] in good order I’d love to go over and shake hands with the Sheikh.”

Saturday, Ascot, Australia
WINTERBOTTOM S.-G1, A$1,005,000, WATC, 11-21, 3yo/up, Open WFA, 1200mT, 1:08.17, Good.
1–BUFFERING, 58.5, g, 8, by Mossman
1st Dam: Action Annie, by Anabaa (USA)
2nd Dam: Overdue Reaction (IRE), by Be My Guest (USA)
3rd Dam: Temporary Lull (USA), by Super Concorde (USA)
(A$22,000 Ylg 2009 MM Premier Yearling Sale) O-Mrs V
Heathcote, S Krslovic, C Moore, R Ciobo, D Merola, C Lord,
Crafty Racing Synd, Aspariamo Racing Synd & B Harry;
B-Racetree QLD; T-R L Heathcote; J-D J Browne; A$617,500.
Lifetime Record: 50-18-9-8, A$5,833,281.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Watermans Bay, 58.5, g, 7, Eternity Range (USA)–Parisian
Princess, by Ron Bon (USA). O-J Molloy & Mrs S M Molloy;
B-Mr J Molloy WA; T-D L Morton; J-S W Arnold; A$200,000.
3–Fast ‘n’ Rocking, 58.5, g, 5, Fastnet Rock–For the Good
Times, by Hennessy (USA) . O-P B Devitt, C A Gordon, D J
Gordon & R L Gordon; B-Mr PB Devitt VIC; T-David Hayes &
Tom Dabernig; J-Damian Lane; A$90,000.
Margins: 1.0 len, 1.8 len, 1.9 len. Odds: 1.50, 8.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Silverstream, Madassa, Shining Knight, Lucky Street, Checkpoint, Rommel, Liberty’s Gem, Cool Trade, Dawn Approach, Magnifisio, Akhedasset, Sujet.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.