Buffering visits Sha Tin track ahead of Hong Kong Sprint

Buffering heads into his first overseas assignment off the

back of three runs in Group 1 company. After edging Lankan Rupee in September's Moir

Stakes, the seven-year-old was a close seventh to the same rival in the Manikato

Stakes after a troubled run. Last out on November 8, the bay was

fourth to Terravista in the Darley Classic at Flemington.

"We won't be doing a lot of work with him," Heathcote noted.

"I have a fit racehorse, he's had some good solid racing in the spring down in

Melbourne; he had a Group 1 win in the Moir Stakes, a solid run in the Manikato

without a lot of luck -- it was a thrilling race -- and then a good run behind the

three highest-rated sprinters in the world. I'll maybe give him a look at the

course proper on Saturday morning and then on Tuesday morning he'll have a more

searching gallop."

Heathcote is relishing the upcoming challenge and rates

being in Hong Kong with a serious contender as being among his career

highlights. That could turn into an outright pinnacle if Buffering can

emulate Falvelon (2000-01), the only other Australian-trained Hong Kong

Sprint victor.

"The mere fact that he got an invitation to come here is

exciting," Heathcote acknowledged. "I've had some highlights in my racing career but to be standing here

at Sha Tin -- certainly if we can be competitive and win, it would be the

highlight of my career."

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com