Although the gelding was narrowly defeated by Hay List in last year's Newmarket Hcp at Flemington, Heathcote regards his performance in the 10,000 as superior.
"I said to the owners I thought it was his personal best," he said.
"It was a group one effort deserving of a group one win."
The 10,000 was Buffering's eighth group one placing with Saturday's Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at Eagle Farm his last opportunity to win at the elite level this season.
The 5-year-old will carry top weight of 58kg and, if successful, will be the highest handicapped horse since Rough Habit carried 58.5kg to win his second Stradbroke in 1992.
While Epaulette will have to set a metric weight carrying record for a 3-year-old if he is to win the Stradbroke, Heathcote believes the Peter Snowden-trained colt has earned his 56kg.
After drawing barrier 12 in the 10,000, jockey Damien Browne rode Buffering vigorously in the early stages to lead after a speed battle with Your Song along the back straight.
Despite repelling Your Song's challenge, he was left a sitting shot for Epaulette who charged home to win.
Heathcote will also be represented in the Stradbroke by Toorak Hcp winner Solzhenitsyn, who will be ridden by Michael Rodd.
Meanwhile Chris Munce will ride Sizzling in next the Stradbroke after the pair landed a betting plunge in the Queensland Guineas at on Saturday.
"I didn't think the horse was going bad but the others had caught up. It was the Sizzling of old today and he put paid to them pretty quickly once he hit the lead," said Munce on Saturday.
- AAP
