Buffett sets up feast for Wheeler camp

FORMER Melbourne galloper Buffett cast aside a major wet-track query to win at the Gold Coast today and set up a big day for the winning connections.
Now trained on the Gold Coast by Len Wheeler, Buffett broke through for his first win since landing the 2010 Murtoa Cup in Victoria when he drew away for a strong win in today’s Fred And Swift Treweeke Memorial Class 2 Hcp (1800m).
Having his third run for Wheeler, Buffett ($7) was too strong at the finish for game leader Vesting ($2.30) pulling away for a 1-3/4 length win. Cobalt Blue ($2.20 fav) was two lengths away in third.
Wheeler admitted Buffett’s previous wet-track form had him worried going in to today’s race.
“On a good track I thought he was a good thing today, but he’d had seven runs in slow and heavy tracks before today and hadn’t run a place in one of them.
“But he got through today’s heavy 10 conditions without a problem.’’
Formerly trained by Danny O’Brien, Buffet showed staying potential as a younger horse finishing second to Whobegotyou in the 2008 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley and fourth to Rebel Raider in the Victoria Derby at Flemington a week later.
But his more recent form had tapered off before current Victorian-based owners Anthony and Janette Morahan bought him.
“He did show a lot of promise when he was a three-year-old and hopefully he can find something like his old form up here in Queensland, especially when he gets back on a good track,’’ said Wheeler.
“I want to run him in a 2100m race at Grafton on Ramornie Hcp day and that’s why he had to run today – wet or dry.’’
Winning jockey Dean Tanti combined with Wheeler and the same owners a few races later when former South Australian galloper The Middleweight took out the Southport RSL Memorial Association Class 4 Hcp (1400m).
Unlike Buffet, The Middleweight ($7 into $5) is a proven wet-tracker and led all the way, digging deep to beat Magic Shuffle ($5) by a long neck.
“He’s really a 2000m horse so I knew he wouldn’t lie down at the finish,’’ said Wheeler.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd