Trainer Robert Heathcote is hoping a hard run on a heavy track in the TJ Smith Stakes is the reason for triple Group One winner Buffering's below-par performance in the BTC Cup.

Sent out the odds-on favourite in Saturday's 1200m sprint at Doomben won by Famous Seamus, Buffering failed to show his usual zest, finishing third to record his 12th Group One placing.

It was his first run since he ran third in the TJ Smith behind Lankan Rupee on a wet Randwick track on April 12.

Heathcote deliberately spaced Buffering's runs to avoid the horse being flattened by the TJ Smith run.

However, Buffering raced as though he was still suffering from that effort.

"I said before the race that was my greatest worry," Heathcote said.

"If you have a look a lot of good horses who ran in the TJ Smith such as Rebel Dane, Famous Seamus, Snitzerland and Shamexpress, all got beaten at their next starts."

Heathcote said he would monitor Buffering but at this stage the gelding would press on to the Doomben 10,000 on May 24.

Jockey Damian Browne confirmed Buffering had seemed below his best.

"Buffering didn't begin as well as I expected and he took some time under heavy riding to improve into a forward position with Tiger Tees," he said.

"Usually even if he is slow to begin, Buffering is quick to muster early speed. He travelled comfortably in the middle stages and he did respond to my riding rounding the home turn.

"However, his run to the line was only OK and he raced like a flat horse."

The winner of three consecutive Group One races in Melbourne and Perth last spring, Buffering has failed to win at the highest level in his home town in nine attempts.