Premier Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote believes a Group 1 is just around the corner for his stable star Buffering.

Buffering (3g Mossman – Action Annie by Anabaa) will be set for the G1 Stradbroke Hcp after a stunning victory in the G2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.  He led throughout to beat more seasoned rivals including last-start G1 The Galaxy winner Atomic Force (Danehill Dancer).

“He’s a very good three-year-old,” Heathcote claimed.  “The knockers will probably say he got away with a soft run in front but he pulled away from Atomic Force.”

Buffering had won the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick in October and he doubled up at that level in the Victory Stakes which was formerly known as the Sir Byrne Hart Stakes.  The winner is exempt from a ballot in the Stradbroke and Heathcote indicated his final lead-up into Queensland’s richest race will be against Black Caviar in the G1 BTC Cup.

Buffering has won 7 of his 12 starts and earned $718,900 for former Socceroos Zjelko Kalac, Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield.  He is a son of Vinery sire Mossman and was purchased by NZ agent Paul Willetts for just $22,000 from the Racetree draft at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS yearling sale.

His Sydney winning dam Action Annie is a half sister to the international stakes performers Instant Strike and Don’t Go Crazy.

Mossman (Success Express) has sired 184 winners of 488 races at a 62% strike-rate.  Buffering is third on his leading earner list behind the Nick Moraitis owned Love Conquers All ($1.04 million) and Lauriston Park filly Pure Energy ($931K).