Buffering Looms Large At Ascot

Australian Group 1 action moves to Western Australia Saturday, and sprinters have their final shot for the year at a top-level score in the G1 Winterbottom S. The Winterbottom has been won by some of Australia’s most prolific sprinters, including Ortensia (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}), Miss Andretti (Aus) (Ihtiram {Ire}) and Takeover Target (Aus) (Celtic Swing {GB}). While he does not have the international acclaim of those past greats, Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) is an accomplished sprinter in his own right and goes for his sixth Group 1 win. The now 8-year-old gelding won this two years ago and proved he is still up to his best when taking the G1 Moir S. Oct. 2. He enters this off a fourth, beaten a half-length, in the G1 Darley Classic Nov. 7. The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Fast ‘N’ Rocking (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is still searching for his first win at the highest level, and he comes here off an encouraging fourth behind sprint champion Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in the G1 Manikato S. Oct. 23. Fast ‘N’ Rocking is currently equal at 7-1 in the betting with Waterman Bay (Aus) (Eternity Range), who won the G3 Victoria H. at Caulfield in April but has been seen just once since, when second in the G3 Colonel Reeves S. over 1100 meters of this strip Nov. 3. Also prominent in the betting at 7.5-1 are defending winner Magnifisio (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}), second and third, respectively, in the G3 Prince of Wales S. and G2 Lee Steere S. Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 is his two starts this season; and Lucky Street (Aus) (Oratorio {Aus}), a lightly raced, stakes-winning 3-year-old who dominated a benchmark 78+ race over this track and trip Nov. 7.