Rob Heathcote thought he had a great chance of claiming his first Group One victory with Buffering in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington until his old mate Peter Moody dropped his bombshell with Black Caviar.Heathcote admits he's intimidated and resigned to meeting Black Caviar in the 1000-metre feature despite Moody yet to confirm the world champion's presence on Saturday."The mail I'm getting is she'll be running and it will be the third time Buffering has met her," Heathcote said."I thought B

Rob Heathcote thought he had a great chance of claiming his first Group One victory with Buffering in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington until his old mate Peter Moody dropped his bombshell with Black Caviar.

Heathcote admits he's intimidated and resigned to meeting Black Caviar in the 1000-metre feature despite Moody yet to confirm the world champion's presence on Saturday.

"The mail I'm getting is she'll be running and it will be the third time Buffering has met her," Heathcote said.

"I thought Buffering was a great chance of winning the Lightning but it looks like he'll be running for second and third again."

Buffering stamped his class as a worthy Group One contender when finishing third to Black Caviar and Hay List in the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben last May.

The four-year-old, who has won more than $1.1 million in prize money, was later runner-up to the world's best sprinter in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington at his latest appearance in November.

Buffering and stablemate Woorim were booked on a flight to Melbourne on Tuesday night after the pair had their final hard gallops at Eagle Farm.

"Buffering had a hard gallop this morning with his old sparring partner Woorim and I'm very happy with both of them," Heathcote said.

"Buffering won't be having any more hard gallops when he gets to Melbourne and will just be out for light exercise.

"I'm disappointed we'll be meeting Black Caviar again. I'm scared and angry she's running in the Lightning.

"I don't want her to be there but the mail is she's running and I'll still be very surprised if she does run.

"We can't beat her, that's for sure, unless there's an injury or illness and I don't want to see that happen ever to Black Caviar."

Heathcote may have to wait until Saturday week to break his Group One drought with Woorim in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.

"But that's not going to be easy either as we're running into another champion, Sepoy," Heathcote said.

"It just doesn't stop."

The Lightning will also see the autumn comebacks of fellow Queenslanders Temple Of Boom and 2009 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready.

Trainer Tony Gollan admits he was also surprised when Moody announced Black Caviar could back-up in the Lightning Stakes after stretching her unbeaten record to 18 wins in the Group One CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

"I was a little surprised but we won't be changing our plans with Temple Of Boom," Gollan said.

"I'll be happy to take her on under handicap conditions in the Newmarket but she'll be too strong under weight-for-age on Saturday."