ROB'S SHOUT - BUFFERING'S COUNTDOWN TO HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL RACE DAY IS NOW ON IN EARNEST
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, November 27, 2014
In his personal blog, exclusive to HRO, multiple premiership winning trainer Robert Heathcote gives readers the inside line on the countdown to Buffering's much anticipated international assignment in Hong Kong.
Not a lot to report on this week aside from the countdown to Buffering getting ready to depart for Hong Kong for the International race day on the 14th December.
The horse is well. He had a quiet week doing very little after his run in the Darley Sprint but we have steadily ramped up his work which will culminate in a grass jump out at Flemington this Friday, 28th November.
He won’t be asked to do a lot, just a good solid gallop in company and he will be partnered in this instance by Craig Williams. Craig is happy to do me the favour here with Damian in Brisbane.
You just never know in this game but Craig would be happy to deputise for Brownie if something happened to DB and he couldn’t make the trip to Honkers! I will ask Craig to give Buff a squeeze with a 100 to go and will be very interested to hear his report.
It’s not only an important morning with the jump-out but post jump-out Buff will be thoroughly vetted by Dr Brian Stewart to ensure all is in order with the horse prior to the very expensive flights to Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club request this and understandably so. I am confident all is in order with Buffering and he will pass with flying colours but gee, racing can be very uncompromising at times so it’s not all smooth sailing until Buff is in his box at Sha Tin!
There are very strict veterinary protocols in place for any horse travelling abroad, especially to H K. All treatments and medications, whether swab-able or over the counter horse products, must be strictly recorded and presented to the HKJC veterinary authorities.
There are in fact three medical declaration forms to be completed prior to arrival so yes, very strictly controlled and rightly so.
Surprisingly there is no pre-departure quarantine but Buff and Criterion will be lodged in a separate quarantine stable at Sha Tin racetrack for the full two weeks before the race.
I believe we will be allocated a specific time when both the horses can do their track work, presumably when all of the local horses have finished their work schedule.
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I, along with most of Buffs owners watched with interest on Sunday evening the final lead up sprint at Sha Tin.
Wow, what an incident packed race that was with a couple of super runs and plenty of hard luck stories out of the race.
The favourite, Aerovelocity is still trying to get out of a pocket and Lucky Nine … his run was fantastic and he is sure going to be very hard to beat in the big one if he gets even luck!
The winner of the G2 sprint, Pernophobia sat deep without cover and still hit the line in a sizzling 1.08.08 so, yeah, our Brisbane bulldog will need to be just about at his best to be in the finish against these speedsters.
Damian Browne has also studied the race replay many times but it will really come down to hopefully coming up with a good barrier for the big one and Buffering jumping cleanly from the barriers and getting into his high cruising speed and in rhythm.
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RSN Melbourne interviewed me yesterday and the host, Shane Anderson, asked me if I was looking forward to the trip?
Are you kidding! This is the most excited I have been for any race in my career.
I recall my first ever winner at Doomben way back in February 1997. Yep, that buzz with my first ever winner, Kaminka, still sits firmly as a career highlight for me but a 1000 winners or so later and yeah, I do have a real buzz of anticipation and expectation and excitement with the upcoming trip and, if I have to be totally honest, I’m bloody nervous as well.
Why? Well even if he’s not the selected or chosen Aussie representative by a National or State body, he will still be flying the National Flag! That makes me proud and, yes, slightly nervous that he can do us all proud.
Has Buff ever let us down?
Never, he is always so genuine so that helps me sleep at the moment!
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Funnily, it was recently put to me that I appear to be more relaxed / less tired than I was this time last racing season and I was asked if that was an accurate assessment?
Yeah, it probably is and the stable results I think are reflecting that.
Taking the holiday to Vietnam certainly recharged my batteries but there are other factors in play here including having regular winners which makes the stable owners/clients happy … and of course, my wife!!
I closed one of my stables and now operate my business under the one roof.
That’s a big plus but I am convinced my stable had a mystery bug that affected so many horses from July last season and I am now confident the horses are firing because we are ‘virus’ free!
No way of knowing that for certain but most trainers will tell you of the highs and lows and a virus can smash you!
Often unseen and damn frustrating but we just know they can be there!
I have a great team of staff. My stable foreman, Mike O’Leary is brilliant, My racing Manager, Mell Sharpe helps keep me sane and looks after Buffering like she owns him and my ‘new’ office admin manager Stephen is an awesome punching bag which helps me!
A happy team of staff sure helps to make happy horses and happy horses race well.
Yeah, I am surprised to have my nose in front of the premiership at this stage of the season. Pleasantly surprised I must add but hey, we will just keep doing our best and getting the best out of the horses in our care.
Next time I chat with you, I reckon I will be in Hong Kong.
Fingers crossed.
Cheers.
Rob
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