ROB'S SHOUT - WHEN I WAS TOLD THE NEWS I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR CRY

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, February 16, 2012

Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.

I guess now that I look back on the exact moment, it's a bit comical.

I had just watched Black Caviar demolish yet another field in a Group 1 in an awesome display of arrogance. I had taken the saddle from my jockey at Eagle Farm and was in the process of saddling up when one of Buffering’s owners phoned and told me of the good news!

"Hey Rob, guess what? Moody just said that the super mare will back up into the Lightning next week".

Here I have been all summer contemplating taking on Hay List and Foxwedge and along comes Black Caviar again. I won't tell you what my first comments were when I was told the news, but I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry!

To be honest … and it is still the same now just a day and a half out from the race … I am amazed that the connections have decided to run her.

I can certainly understand why … it's a Group 1 race worth three quarters of a million and part of the Global Sprint Challenge. I am however surprised as Peter has managed her rather conservatively her entire career and a seven day back up and a distance drop really does come out of left field!

I guess the backup would now make the double back up into the Futurity on the following Saturday highly unlikely, but after the surprise of this week, I guess anything is possible.

Do I still think she will win? Get out of here! She's still a bloody certainty even though I was doing a rain dance this afternoon which saw a brief storm hit Melbourne and dump some rain onto the famed Flemington straight 5!

Maybe the threat of a wet track may make the BC connections reconsider and scratch! Ha … little chance of that and the hulking Hay List, well he's got duck feet as well so it ain’t gonna be any easier if the track does come up a slow rating.

Buffering has travelled down to Melbourne really well. He flew out of Brisbane on Tuesday night at about 11.15 pm and he was safely settled into his Flemington stable about four hours later so, whilst it's not cheap, it is a decided advantage to transport them this way!

He is back in his 'Old box' at John Thompsons Patinack yard where he enjoyed considerable success during last year's spring carnival.

He ran second to Black Caviar in the million dollar Patinack and that felt like a win on the day!

Throw in BC, Hay List, Foxwedge and Temple Of Boom and this year's Lightning, whilst only a small field, it is indeed a cracker.

The reality is that being a Group 1 race, a top class field is always to be expected. Buffering will obviously need a lot to go his way and yes, plenty not to go right with the others for him to win but I really do believe he's in the best shape of his career.

He showed last preparation that he is a capable Group 1 performer, but he realistically has to find another few lengths to go to that next level.

He certainly appears to have strengthened up as he's got older so it remains to be seen how he races on Saturday!

We do know he's got a huge heart for a little horse, so I once again expect a good solid run from him. I do know that he won't be travelling off the bit and handing the race to the champs on a plate.

He will be there to keep them honest!

Michael Rodd was chosen for the ride after a couple had knocked the ride back having been booked for other mounts … some of which are subsequently not running in the race.

Michael is a top quality big occasion rider and yes, a few will raise their eyebrows after Michael gave me 'not one of his best rides' in last year's Emirates Group 1 mile on Woorim. Here is Michaels chance to make it up to me!

Even though the weather has not been too kind to us at home this past month, the BRC have been great to allow me the use of the course proper on a number of occasions and a few exhibition gallops between races.

That's been a massive help to me getting Buffering and Woorim ready for the Autumn Carnival. Much appreciated and great to see the clubs working so closely with trainers to help when possible.

We have pretty much everything in place again in Melbourne with Melissa looking after the boys and the Patinack team again being wonderful hosts to us!

All we hope for now is that the Queenslanders … and I also do mean Jason McLachlan and Tony 'Bubbles' Gollan’s runners can all do us proud.

GO QUEENSLANDER … and by that I don't mean the kid from Wyandra!

This is one time where I will be swinging from her tail but even that will not stop her!

Cheers for this week.

Robert

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