THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - LOCAL CHAMPION READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD IN DUBAI

By Graham Potter | Sunday, March 13, 2016

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

Damian Browne, the Sunshine Coast based Queensland Jockey Of The year, put the country’s star sprinter Buffering through his paces in an historic exhibition gallop at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning.

It was the first time a horse had galloped on the new Eagle Farm track, a privilege befitting the status of the eight year old gelding whose tenacious ability continues to defy father time season after season.

Some say Buffering has never looked better. His trainer Rob Heathcote believes his charge is going as well as he has ever done ... and as you read this, Buffering has already been in Sydney for a couple of days en route to Dubai, via Hong Kong.

When Buffering gets onto the plane on Monday, he does so not just as Queensland’s pride and joy, a role he has fulfilled for so many years with no less than four state ‘Horse Of the Year’ titles behind his name ... but as a runner for “Team Australia.’

All of Buffering’s connections, who have experienced the rare good will and enthusiasm that punters have shown for the evergreen contender, will know just how much of a wall of support they will have willing Buffering on when the Al Quoz Sprint gets underway at the spectacular Meydan racetrack in Dubai on March 26.

“It’s the only horse I’ve ever ridden that gets cheered when it goes out onto the track,” Browne said.

"It’s an enjoyable time and one that you’ve got to make the most of because it won’t last forever."

“It will be hard to find another horse like him.”

The team realises that the way Buffering copes with the long trip to Dubai and adjusts during the settling in period is as vital to any possible success as his effort in the race itself.

All things being equal though, it is a mission to be excited about.

The race is still two weeks off but you could do worse than make an early note to ensure you are available in the middle of the night (March 26 into the early hours of March 27) for the Dubai World Cup meeting to watch Buffering go for gold in the US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m.

Whether you are supporting Buffering as an Australian or as a devoted Queenslander or simply as a Sunshine Coast fan who is proud of their local champion jockey, it should be well worth watching.

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Racing sometimes likes to talk the talk, but often stumbles when trying to walk the walk.

Last week I referred to the need for racing to hand out significant penalties for those in breach of serious offences if indeed they are to convince anyone that they are truly intent on cleaning up the game.

This week, to me, they baulked at that opportunity.

A six month disqualification for being found guilty of a charge related to possible dishonest and/or fraudulent actions, in my opinion, doesn’t seem to cut it when you consider the damage that such a verdict brings to the industry.

Authorities like to pose with a motto that integrity is king.

I’d like to believe that someday but, for now, I’ll need more convincing!