Buffering to press on to Flemington

Sunday 28 October 2012, 1:22pm

Buffering has been given a clean bill of health following his Manikato Stakes flop and will press on to the Group One Patinack Farm Classic.

Trainer Robert Heathcote was concerned when Buffering failed to eat up after the Group One race at Moonee Valley on Friday night but said the sprinter was much brighter and back on his feed on Sunday.

"At this stage we're definitely pressing on to the Patinack. He ate up well this morning and he's nice and bright," Heathcote said.

"We did a blood test and the veterinary report came back perfect. He doesn't have any clinical signs of something wrong."

Buffering was the $2.60 favourite to claim his first Group One success in the Manikato (1200m) but struggled into sixth after being annoyed up front by Satin Shoes in the race won by Sea Siren.

"Maybe Hugh (Bowman) made an error in trying to restrain him in the lead, he's better being let run, but he (Buffering) has just had an off night," Heathcote said.

Heathcote said it was concerning when Buffering did not eat up after the race but he was relieved on Sunday.

"Without a doubt it's a relief, just to see him so much brighter this morning," the trainer said.

"We know he's better than what he showed the other night so we'll get back to straight racing during the day and I'm sure he'll bounce back."

Heathcote is set to chase a Group One double on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington on November 10 with Buffering in the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) and Toorak Handicap winner Solzhenitsyn headed to the Emirates Stakes (1600m).

Solzhenitsyn finished third in the Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday won by Silent Achiever, but Heathcote felt his charge was unlucky not to win.

"I'm delighted with him and was delighted with his run yesterday," Heathcote said.

"He'll push on to the Emirates and he'll be darn hard to beat."

– AAP

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