Triple Group 1 winner Buffering will be set for the T.J. Smith Stakes as the No 1 sprinter in the land, reports Racing Network. Buffering reaffirmed his star status as he defied a determined late challenge from Moment of Change in Saturday's Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
Trainer Rob Heathcote said Buffering had earned his status as Australia's premier sprinter after wins in the Manikato, the VRC Sprint Classic and now the Winterbottom.
Buffering posted the narrowest of wins from Moment of Change in the $500,000 race.
Heathcote said Damian Browne thought Buffering was "gone" at the 50-metre mark, but the horse could feel the presence of Moment of Change.
"He (Browne) said he felt the horse rise to the challenge and dig in enough to win. There was only an inch in it, but it's fair to say he's had his share of bad luck and been knocked off by some freakish runs," Heathcote said. "Racing is a funny game. It wasn't that long ago that Buffering was getting beaten in Group 1s for the 15th, 16th, 17th time. I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to win one and he's gone bang, bang, bang. We know he wasn't as good as Black Caviar and Hay List, but they're not here any more so he has stepped into the breach."