Australia: Buffet Buster brings hot streak to Tamworth

Prior to March, Buffet Buster was a rather anonymous 3-year-old gelding in Australia, with 1 win in 15 starts.

Buffet Buster had a higher profile after March, albeit in lesser races. Buffet Buster won three consecutive minor races at three different venues with different riders at distances ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to slightly more than seven furlongs.

With each win, Buffet Buster faced tougher competition. His next test occurs in a seven-furlong handicap at Tamworth Racecourse where he is part of a field of 14.

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Trained by Stirling Osland, Buffet Buster will be ridden by Ashley Morgan, who was aboard for the second of the three wins in March in a 14-runner handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Moree. Buffet Buster closed from fifth to win that race by slightly less than a half-length. Buffet Buster has also raced closer to the front, and set the pace, in his winning streak.

Buffet Buster is the only runner in the field with a win in his last start.

Buffet Buster is likely to be the second choice behind Acrophobic, a former group stakes runner who is winless in 13 starts since a debut win in May 2020. Acrophobic has started twice this year, finishing fifth in a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth in January in his first start since July and third by slightly less than a length in the Quirindi Cup at a mile at Quirindi Racecourse on Feb. 18 as the 7-5 favorite.

The Feb. 18 race was Acrophobic’s best result since a second by a neck in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse last May.

This will be the first start of 2022 for Mahis Angel, who won consecutive starts in sprints last June and July, but did not race again in 2021 after finishing fourth in a handicap at 1 9/16 miles at Morphettville last August. A six-time winner, Mahis Angel was racing in longer sprints as recently as June.

Tamworth has a seven-race program, beginning at 11:35 p.m. Eastern or 8:35 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.