There is no more honest sprinter racing in Australia than Buffering who gets a prime opportunity this afternoon to record his maiden G1 win when he contests the BTC Cup over 1200m at Doomben.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Buffering is just one of a few quality sprinters who over the last couple of seasons have lived in the shadow of world champion sprinting mare Black Caviar and no doubt he will be relieved to hear that mare will be racing a thousand miles away from him today in Morphettville.
Buffering has raced Black Caviar three times finishing in the placings each time and no doubt will appreciate her absence today.
Buffering's consistency at G1 level is quite impressive missing a cheque once in nine attempts and if he brings that form to Doomben this afternoon he rates clearly the horse to beat.
Already a two-time winner on the Doomben course, Buffering's form this preparation spanning four starts is impeccable for this assignment earning him a Timeform rating of 124.
He resumed in February in the G1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) finishing third to Black Caviar then was just beaten after an epic struggle with Hay List down the Flemington straight in the G1 Newmarket Handicap.
After finishing third to Foxwedge in the G1 Australia stakes, Buffering had a 40 day break before beating Scenic Blast by a widening seven lengths in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm over 1200m 11 days ago.
Buffering's awkward barrier draw of 14 is no help to his chances but the gelding does possess enough early speed to cross the field and either lead the speedy Adebisi or sit off him.
It is hard to find fault with the form and ratings for Buffering. He looks to have a class edge on his rivals today.
The main chances away from Buffering are evenly graded with Varenna Miss, Black Piranha, Woorim and Beaded making claims.
Varenna Miss has always shown considerable potential but her career has been patiently handled by trainer Tony Noonan, the now five-year-old racing 14 times for five wins.
She had a short campaign in Melbourne during the spring and failed to come up so was spelled.
However last winter in Brisbane she gave a glimpse of what she is capable of defeating Phelan Ready in the G2 QTC Cup at Eagle Farm before an unlucky run in the G1 Winter Stakes behind Yosei.
The mare has raced once since a spell for an eye-catching effort in the G1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick behind Master Of Design and Rain Affair, finishing close up in sixth place after failing to gain clear running in the straight.
A winner at her only previous Doomben run, Varenna Miss has drawn perfectly to track the speed and make her presence felt in the closing stages. She looks a definite improver this campaign.
Despite rising years, Black Piranha is still a force to be taken seriously in Brisbane where he has already won two G1 Stradbroke Handicaps. A third attempt awaits him this campaign.
Now back with Con Karakatsanis after a brief stable shift, Black Piranha has not raced since finishing unplaced at Flemington last October, however he trialled nicely at Warwick Farm recently and comes into the BTC Cup fresh up, mirroring the same preparation last year.
It is worth noting that Black Piranha was only a long neck behind Buffering in the BTC Cup last year, the pair being well beaten by Black Caviar and Hay List who dominated the 2011 renewal.
Black Piranha is capable of sprinting well fresh and is likely to be excellent each way odds.
Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim, the stablemate of Buffering cannot be discarded.
Woorim was brilliant in winning the G1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m first up at Caulfield then finishing close up in Hay List's Newmarket Handicap. However his form tapered off after that.
He comes into today's race on the back of a freshen up and has definite claims in that state. A three time winner at Doomben, Woorim will appreciate a fast tempo up front and if the leaders are stopping, this fellow can easily overpower them late.
The Peter Snowden-trained Beaded is probably lucky to survive being sent off to stud, with that decision delayed after an encouraging trial last week.
A winner of the G1 Doomben 10000 last year, Beaded is a classy mare when right but has been below her best in three runs earlier this year, the best of those a four and a half length defeat behind Hay List in the Newmarket Handicap.
She too has been freshened up for today's race and her unbeaten record at Doomben is a another positive in her form book.
Last year she was in top form during the Brisbane winter, winning the G1 Doomben 10000 and then going under narrowly in both the G1 Stradbroke Handicap and G1 Winter Stakes.
Those runs earned Beaded a Timeform rating of 121 and if she runs to that today, she will surely take a hand in the finish. The query is that she may not be quite as good this season.
Recent G1 Galaxy winner Temple Of Boom returns to his home state for the winter racing carnival but has ended up with the “visitors barrier draw” on the extreme outside of the 15 horse field.
Yet to win at Doomben in four starts, Temple Of Boom has done most of his racing interstate in the last twelve months but does bring excellent form lines into the race. Timeform rated 120, Temple Of Boom will again be ridden by crack New Zealand rider James McDonald and is a must include for the multiples.
As are Sydney-based three-year-old fillies Elite Falls and Satin Shoes, both consistent types obviously searching for easier black type targets during the Brisbane carnival.
