Another Stradbroke Handicap, another second placing for Buffering.

That's how trainer Robert Heathcote summed up the courageous performance of Buffering who led until the shadows of the winning post before being swamped by Linton.

"Second last year and second again this year. I don't know what you've got to do to win a Group One race with him," Heathcote said.

The search for an elusive Group One title for Buffering will continue in Melbourne in the spring.

Heathcote thought Buffering had the Stradbroke in his keeping when he kicked strongly at the top of the straight.

"It's the second year in a row he's got knocked off by an outsider but full credit to John Sadler for doing such a brilliant job with Linton to win the race," he said.

Buffering's jockey Damian Browne said the gelding cruised in front and was confident of winning until he saw Linton flash past him.

"I thought they'd either have to run brilliant sectional times or not go around a horse to win and the latter turned out to be the case," he said.