The fitness levels of Buffering have convinced trainer Robert Heathcote the horse can secure an elusive group one win in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Buffering has been placed seven times in group one races throughout his career and is seeking his first success at the elite level in the Manikato.
So far this spring, Buffering has won the group two Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and the group two Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.
"The improvement he made from the Moir to the Schillaci was quite noticeable and I still think there's more left in the tank heading back to the Valley on Friday night," Heathcote said yesterday.
"No sooner had Hugh Bowman gone for the whip in the Schillaci than he immediately put it away because Buffering was responding to everything that was being asked of him."
Buffering will be matched with stablemate Excellantes in a 1000m hitout at the "Breakfast with the Best" trackwork session at Moonee Valley tomorrow morning.
"They'll work over 1000m, coming home a sharp 400 which should top him right off for the Manikato."
- AAP