Group One galloper Buffering is the undoubted star of Rob Heathcote’s stable but the trainer says the efforts of fellow veterans Volkhere and Jopa should also be acknowledged.
The two are again expected to play a major role at Doomben on Saturday when Volkhere tackles the Girls Day Out Raceday Open Hcp (2200m) and Jopa the Hamilton Hotel Open Hcp (1200m).
Volkhere was restricted mainly to sprinting early in his career and won twice over 1200m.
But with maturity, the seven-year-old has been stepped up in distance and flourished over longer trips.
“Look at Volkhere’s form in staying-type races, he has won seven times at distances from 2000 metres to 2200 metres and four of those were at Saturday’s distance of 2200 (metres),” Heathcote said.
“It isn’t an easy race. Darlene Duryea’s horse (Ongoing Venture) will again be suited by a softish track and Kris Lees has sent the Gosford Cup runner-up (Award Season).
“But Volkhere loves Doomben and he handles all types of tracks.
“He passed $500,000 in prize money last start so the owner is happy and we are all happy.”
Volkhere is likely to have one more start before he is given a short break in the lead-up to the Brisbane winter carnival.
“He was second in the Toowoomba Cup last year behind Pornichet who went on to win the Doomben Cup,” Heathcote said.
“Volkhere was also third to Epingle in the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap.
“Those are the sorts of races we will be chasing again and surely we won’t run into another Pornichet.”
Jopa scored his 10th win when successful first-up at Doomben in December and his two runs since have been solid.
“He is eight years old but he keeps racing well,” Heathcote said.
“He was fourth at the Sunshine Coast last start but he has won six times at Doomben and he is another who handles all types of track surfaces.”
Heathcote will also saddle-up three-year-old Privlaka in the BRC Membership Hcp (1350m).
“Privlaka was trapped three-deep the whole way when he won at Caloundra last start,” Heathcote said.
“I have always had a wrap on him and if the track is soft that will suit us.”