Robert Heathcote is confident a gruelling Doomben 10,000 effort won't jeopardise Buffering's chances in the Stradbroke Handicap.

The trainer said it was only natural Buffering took a few days to recover after running his heart out in the 10,000 in which he finished third to Epaulette.

"He knew he'd had a run," Heathcote said.

"It was really only on Wednesday morning that he had a bit of a chirp and a squeal for the first time since he ran at Doomben.

"He's such a bulldog. He always bounces back and it's no different this time."

Although the gelding was narrowly defeated by Hay List in last year's Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, Heathcote regards his performance in the 10,000 as superior.

"I said to the owners I thought it was his personal best," he said.

"It was a Group One effort deserving of a Group One win."

The 10,000 was Buffering's eighth Group One placing with Saturday's Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm his last opportunity to win at the elite level this season.

"I still think my horse is a genuine winning chance in the Stradbroke," Heathcote said.

The five-year-old will carry top weight of 58kg and, if successful, will be the highest handicapped horse since Rough Habit carried 58.5kg to win his second Stradbroke in 1992.

While Epaulette will have to set a metric weight carrying record for a three-year-old if he is to win the Stradbroke, Heathcote believes the Peter Snowden-trained colt has earned his 56kg after his emphatic win in the 10,000 which was his second Group One success.

After drawing barrier 12 in the 10,000, jockey Damien Browne rode Buffering vigorously in the early stages to lead after a speed battle with Your Song along the back straight.

Despite repelling Your Song's challenge, he was left a sitting shot for Epaulette who charged home to win.

"Some people will say he's had 15 goes and can't win a Group One but he's run 11 blinders," Heathcote said.

"He just hasn't had any luck. Take Your Song out of the equation, I still think he wins the race."

Heathcote will also be represented in the Stradbroke by Toorak Handicap winner Solzhenitsyn who will be ridden by Michael Rodd.