Tony Gollan reckons Spirit Of Boom can gatecrash the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot - a race billed as a clash between fellow Queenslander Buffering and last year's winner Barakey.

Spirit Of Boom, a perennial placegetter in feature races before posting a Group Two Caulfield Sprint win last month, has drawn the rails.

But he won't be taking on the two heavyweight sprinters in a rush to lead and instead will sit back with Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Nick Hall expected to be content to time his run.

Gollan sees the field being strung out over the 1200m course with Spirit Of Boom sitting midfield and needing a bit of luck at the right time.

"I have great respect for Barakey and Buffering - they are two very good sprinters who will be up there making all the play," said Gollan.

"We'll let them sort it out amongst themselves up front.

"We'll sit back off a nice tempo and try to get over the top of them and spoil the party late."

Spirit Of Boom was third in the Winterbottom last year behind Barakey and Power Princess and goes into the race in great form, winning at Caulfield and being placed in three other important spring sprints.

Gollan says the horse has had a better preparation this time round and is racing better than last year.

"He deserves a Group One. Unfortunately they are not given to you because you deserve one, you have to go and win them," said Gollan.

After Saturday, Spirit Of Boom will be given a break before preparing for the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February.

Buffering is favourite to make it three Group One wins on the trot despite drawing an outside gate.

He is a $2.40 chance to overcome barrier eight with Barakey, drawn next to Spirit Of Boom in stall two, at $4.

Spirit Of Boom ($7.50) holds down the third line of betting ahead of Victorian sprinter Moment Of Change ($8.50).