Triple treat for Buffering
Australia’s undisputed top sprinter Buffering claimed his third straight Group 1 win in a spine-tingling finish to the $500,000 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
In a roughhouse affair, Queensland sprinter Buffering edged Melbourne Group 1 winner Moment Of Change by a nose in the weight-for-age feature.
Trainer Robert Heathcote and connections faced a nervous wait as the judge took several minutes to split Buffering and Moment Of Change in a photo finish.
Three rival jockeys also viewed the film as Spirit Of Boom’s jockey Nicholas Hall considered a protest against the winner.
Hall ultimately decided against protesting after Spirit Of Boom ran fourth, beaten 1½ lengths.
He was almost floored when he was checked in the middle stages of the race. A chain reaction caused interference to several other runners.
Buffering ($2 favourite) was sent to the front by jockey Damian Browne but Barakey ($5.50) kicked up to hold him off the fence.
Buffering’s toughness shone as he got the better of Barakey and shot clear early in the straight.
Moment Of Change ran on from fourth on the turn but his late dive missed.
Watermans Bay ($51) ran on from near last to snatch third from Spirit Of Boom.
Barakey faded to finish a disappointing ninth and Power Princess ($8.50) was held up in the straight when sixth.
Buffering’s unbelievable rise from Group 1 bridesmaid to the king of Australia’s sprinting ranks continued and Heathcote has big plans for him next year.
“To win three Group 1s – I’m a bit speechless,” Heathcote said.
“Buff put his hand up and he’s going to go to the paddock as the number one sprinter in the country.
“We’ll go down to Sydney for the TJ Smith then a couple of local races in Brisbane and a trip to Hong Kong looks enticing.”
