Australia: Buffering tries again in Patinack Farm Classic

A year ago, Buffering chased the star mare Black Caviar in the $1 million Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington Racecourse, settling for second against the unbeaten sprinter.

This year, Black Caviar is not part of the Patinack Farm Classic field, leaving Buffering with a chance at his first Group 1 win. A 5-year-old Australian-bred by Mossman, Buffering is part of a field of 15 in the Patinack Farm Classic, which is run over about six furlongs on turf on a straightaway course.

Buffering was sixth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over six furlongs at Moonee Valley on Oct. 26, losing to Sea Siren, who is expected to be favored Saturday.

The race includes the half-brothers Temple of Boom, 6, and Spirit of Boom, 5, who meet for the first time since June.

The Flemington program also includes the $1 million Emirates Stakes over about a mile.

Fat Al, winner of the Group 1 Epsom Stakes at Randwick Racecourse on Oct. 6, is a leading contender in a field of 16. Solzhenitsyn, a 6-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, is another contender on the basis of his win in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap on Oct. 13.