With a lot of talk around regarding Buffering’s run in the Manikato I thought it would be worth chasing the latest up with one of his part owners Blair Drinkwater.
Blair said although Buffering had left some feed for two days after the run, it seemed his blood was good and no reason could be found for the below par performance. On face value many thought Buffering was pestered in front, but as Blair said to me he has had far more pressure than that in races and still be too good for the opposition. In hind sight it may well have been better if Hughie let Buffering push up inside Satin Shoes and roll to the front and dictate from there.
Drinkwater also said that the horse seems 100% now and unless something unforseen pops up between now and then, the Patinack Group 1 is the target and it is all systems go to that feature race. He also noted “Although he has won at the Valley twice they have been small margins and he will love getting to the straight 6 (1200m) where I think it’s his favorite track down south. I think he will bounce back and show his true worth there.”
From a punting point of view I can’t believe the horse is $8 in the Patinack. I may not jump in just yet, but if things go to plan and the camp are happy with him leading into the Group 1 that is a very generous price about the horse I still believe is the best sprinter in Australia with Hay List and Black Caviar sidelined.
Blair is a Gold Coast boy through and through, growing up around Currumbin and has now settled back on the coast with his young family. He has had shares in many horses over the last 5-10 years but Buffering is obviously his favorite of the bunch! He’s a good young bloke who we will catch up with when possible on the site. He’s ambitious, busy and always looking for his next champion to be involved in. The latest venture has just hit the ground running and you can check it out http://www.firstupracing.com.au/
GO BUFF!
