Stable Favourite Backs Up

Still racing in good heart at the age of nine, Buffalo River has been a real stalwart of the stable - winning nine races, placing 18 times and amassing over $1.48 million in stakes with his three wins in stakes company and his three Gr.1 placings.

He takes his place in the Listed Elms Handicap today, Declan Bates to ride from barrier 9 in a field of 11 and we are hopeful of a bold showing as he backs up from from tackling the 1600m of the Gr.3 JRA Plate last weekend.

"Whenever we have backed him up he has been terrific," Michael said, noting that Buffalo River won the Gr.3 Moonga Stakes on the back-up, also recording a second in that same race off the same preparation.

"And he is back to his pet trip," he said - Buffalo River (photo by Racing Photos) recording all but one of his nine victories at the 1400m.

Whilst retirement is probably not too far away, Buffalo River is still loving his racing and doing well - this time in winning over $90,000 in prize money despite not winning a race.

"He is probably slightly past his best," Michael admitted, "as at his best he was a Gr.1 competitor - but he has been a lovely sound horse all the way through and we can't fault him heading to the races today."

"He continues to race really well and he is back to Listed company - and the good thing about today is that he is in very well at the weights."

"He drops right down to 54kg (carrying 57kg last time out) which gives him a decent pull on the topweights and that really puts him in the race."

"I am not particularly worried about the barrier draw," Michael continued, "as he can take his time to get across; there is speed around him so he should get a nice run."

"The key to him is that is lovely and sound, in fact he has never had an unsound day and I've got my theories on that - he is a nice, short coupled horse and not overly big and horses like him just don't seem to have leg troubles, he has everything in the right proportion which is why he has been able to race onto nine."

In the final race on the card, the Stud & Stable Staff Leadership Award BM84 over 1400m, we have the imported galloper Gregolimo kicking off his third local campaign.

Racing really at his first few starts in Australia, he had no luck at all last time in but he has come up well and we are looking forward to seeing how he fares as he gets up over more ground.

"We would not expect him to be overly competitive at the 1400m," Michael said, "but it's a good starting point, racing at home and not having far to go - and stayers can run well fresh though he is certainly nowhere near his peak."

"From that draw (barrier 10 of 12 runners) he will probably have to got back and get a a bit of cover to give him the chance to balance up but we will watch how the day progresses in regards to the pattern of the day."