Buffering is now a dual Group 1 winner after making all in the VRC Sprint at Flemington last Saturday.

The Rob Heathcote-trained galloper broke his Group 1 maiden tag when taking out the Manikato Stakes the run prior against a number of the same rivals he faced at Flemington last Saturday.

Buffering on that occasion asserted his dominance on the race early and it was no different in the VRC Sprint as the six-year-old led the field up.

Many behind him were under pressure with 400m remaining and Buffering capitalised as the Mossman gelding strode clear for a three quarter length success.

Shamexpress finished second with Moment Of Change third.

Buffering’s latest Group 1 success yielded a Timeform rating of 127, exceeding his previous master figure of 126 run to twice in the 2012 and 2013 Stradbroke Handicap renewals.

His latest winning performance also sits above the previous five year winning average of the VRC Sprint.

Black Caviar boasts the highest winning Timeform figure with her 2011 victory assessed at 129+.

Buffering sits equal second on that list alongside Mental (2012), All Silent (2008), Miss Andretti (2007) and Rubitano (2002).

It has been a case of ‘It never rains it pours’ for Buffering at the highest level.

The Rob Heathcote-trained sprinter only broke through for what had been an elusive top level success at his 18th Group 1 start and has now recorded consecutive wins against Australia’s sprinting elite.

Buffering’s dominance of sprint features is expected to continue next fortnight with the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot his next assignment.

While still a Group 1, the Winterbottom Stakes will not possess the same level of quality and depth the VRC Sprint or Manikato Stakes boasted.

His latest success at the highest level is well deserved looking at the six-year-olds career to date.

From 37 starts, Buffering has now won on 14 occasions with another 14 minor placings. These for the most part have been achieved at stakes level.

Having taken 18 attempts at Group 1 success to break through, those Buffering placed behind read like the who’s who of Australian sprinting since the turn of the decade.

He had tasted defeat at the hands of Black Caviar on multiple occasions while also placing behind Hay List in the 2012 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

The honest sprinter also came up against the likes of Sea Siren, Foxwedge and Sepoy when they were all at their peaks.

While retirement has beckoned all of them whether because of age or breeding duties, Buffering has remained and is now reaping the benefits.

Another who denied Buffering Group 1 success in his own backyard was the Peter Snowden-trained Epaulette.

Epaulette had Buffering’s measure when taking out the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 during the winter and appeared poised for an exciting spring campaign.

The Commands four-year-old was not his usual reliable self in two starts over the spring and has subsequently been retired.

A stakes winner at two and a dual Group 1 winning three-year-old having also claimed the Golden Rose, Epaulette amassed approximately $1.7million in prizemoney earnings.

Also a half brother to triple Group 1 winner and former stablemate Helmet, Epaulette and his progeny will no doubt be highly sought after at stud.

Peter Snowden’s trio of VRC Sprint runners were all disappointing as they filled three of the last four positions.

Also running well below market expectations was Hong Kong-based sprinter Lucky Nine.

Lucky Nine’s Australian debut yielded an encouraging second behind Buffering in the Manikato Stakes.

He was largely expected to build on that effort in the VRC Sprint Classic however could only manage a 4.5 length sixth.

The six-year-old was later found to be lame.