Veteran racehorses have been making headlines for different reasons during the past week. One, Red Cadeaux, sadly failed to overcome complications from surgery on an injured fetlock, while another, Buffering, registered his sixth G1 success and is now set to run at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night in March.
Veteran racehorses have been making headlines for different reasons during the past week. One, Red Cadeaux, sadly failed to overcome complications from surgery on an injured fetlock, while another, Buffering, registered his sixth G1 success and is now set to run at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night in March.
The racing fraternity was united in sadness at hearing news of Red Cadeaux's death, aged nine. He was one of the true warriors of the Turf, running in 54 races in a total of eight countries, for win and place prizemoney of over US$7m. It was particularly sad that he should end his career in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, where he had finished runner-up three times in the race.
It was his fifth attempt at Australia's showcase event, but his popularity stemmed not from his feat of accumulating a mountain of cash in a long career for owner Ronnie Arculli and trainer Ed Dunlop, but for his durability, remarkable constitution, and sheer guts.
Aussies took him to hearts and treated him as one of their own. They could pay no bigger compliment than that.
Racefans loved him everywhere he raced. In 2013, he finished a memorable second to Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup, running out of his comfort zone over 2,000m, yet finishing like a train for his lucrative placing in the world's richest race.
It is very appropriate that his final resting place is to be Flemington, which he loved, and where he produced his best performances.
Another veteran in the news, for happier reasons, was Buffering, who landed the G1 Winterbottom Stakes, over 1200m at Ascot (WA), for the second time in three years. The eight-year-old has come back after a leg injury, and he seems as good as ever.
This is a horse who tackled the sprinting icon, Black Caviar, in 2011 and 2012, and was good enough to earn placings behind the unbeaten star on three memorable occasions.
Buffering is trained in Brisbane by Robert Heathcote. The sprinter, a son of Mossman, had been based in Melbourne during the Spring Carnival -- he won the G1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley -- and faced a five-hour flight to Perth to run against the best around in the West. He took it all in his stride.
Heathcote, one of the leading trainers in Queensland, now has plans for visits to Dubai and Ascot (UK) with Buffering. "Black Caviar won there in England, and Takeover Target was always competitive. Why not old 'Buff' having a go?" Heathcote said.
"He's an old marvel. I think he would do well at Meydan, and also then in England. Travelling doesn't seem to faze him," he added.
Last year, Buffering went to Hong Kong for the Sprint, but he suffered a setback leading up to the race. He finished a creditable sixth but was never a threat. There has been no suggestion of a return trip, with Heathcote preferring a A$1m race at the Magic Millions meeting in January.
In Hong Kong, ever-popular Able Friend was beaten at Sha Tin on Saturday, but he looked unlucky in running. He found himself trapped on the inside of horses entering the straight. But, as a prep for the Hong Kong Mile on December 13, it appeared ideal.
