A clean getaway is the one thing Hugh Bowman wants to ensure for Buffering when the tenacious Queenslander chases an elusive Group One win in Friday night's Manikato Stakes.

The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding is a short-priced favourite to finally land a major after being placed seven times at the elite level.

Bowman has as much confidence in the five-year-old as punters do, having ridden him to his past two wins in the Moir and Schillaci Stakes.

The only shadow in the back of his mind is Buffering's slight "bunny hop" when he came out of the barriers first-up.

Given he is drawn the rails in the 1200m Moonee Valley feature, Bowman knows it is imperative Buffering doesn't make any mistakes out of the gates.

"He's probably one of those horses where a barrier isn't too important. He's got the tactical speed to get himself into a position," Bowman said.

"But certainly from barrier one I just hope he doesn't do that bunny hop he did in the Moir. That wouldn't be ideal.

"But I think he was just a bit above himself that day. He jumped beautifully in the Schillaci and that's all he has to do this week and he'll be in a dictating position."

Buffering is not only the punters' favourite to win the Manikato.

He is also the sentimental favourite having so often played bridesmaid to the likes of Black Caviar and Hay List.

Neither of those sprinters is competing this spring, finally presenting Buffering with his chance to put his name alongside a Group One race.

Bowman partnered Buffering in his first Group One assignment when he finished fourth in the 2010 Coolmore Stud Stakes as a three-year-old.

He has also been aboard for the Queenslander's past four starts and has no doubt about what has carried the gelding to 11 wins from 28 starts and more than $2 million prizemoney.

"His will to win," Bowman said.

"I thought his improvement from the Moir to the Schillaci was excellent and if he can take a bit more improvement out of that he'll be very hard to beat on Friday night."

Buffering will face nine rivals including Sea Siren who denied him a Group One victory in the Doomben 10,000 by a short neck.