Racing: Lightning raid on Epsom for Firebolt

Trainer Roger James. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A deliberate decision to play a low-key role with Cambridge galloper Firebolt during the winter in Queensland could reap rewards in Sydney this spring.

Trainer Roger James plans to send Firebolt across the Tasman for the Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 1 if the 5-year-old comes up this preparation.

"He's back in work and is thriving," James said.

"If I'm happy with him he'll go to Sydney for the Epsom."

James plans to start Firebolt in the Mudgway Stakes at Hastings on August 28, but is concerned bad weather could disrupt his schedule.

"I'm looking at the Mudgway Stakes with him here and if not, there's a race a week later at Ellerslie," he said.

"The weather is a bit of a concern at the moment and I have to just trial him here before I send him to Sydney.

"He should get a reasonable weight in a race like the Epsom."

Firebolt started only four times during the Brisbane winter carnival but left with a huge reputation, after two wins.

The son of Stravinsky looked capable of winning in much stronger company after scoring an all-the-way win in restricted class over 1630m at Doomben in May.

He was then judged by stewards to have been afforded a fair start after tailing the field home in the listed Strawberry Road (1600m) won by Our Lukas at Eagle Farm on June 12.

Firebolt was on his best barrier behaviour next appearance when runner-up to Pennacchio in the listed Centenary Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June before winning easily in an 1800m class six race at the same track on July 10.

Meanwhile, Queensland 3-year-old Buffering arrived safely in Sydney yesterday for his assignment in the Up And Coming Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

"He arrived at Grahame Begg's stables about 3am and had a 45-minute stopover at Kempsey on the way down," trainer Rob Heathcote said.

"He's in excellent order. He had his final gallop at Eagle Farm on Tuesday before he went down and he'll only need pacework before Saturday.

"The track is slow for Warwick Farm and more rain is forecast for Friday but he'll be competitive."

Buffering, an impressive first-up winner at Eagle Farm on August 11, could stay on in Sydney for the next month's listed Heritage Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill or head to Melbourne for the group two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

- AAP