Buffering has settled in well to his new surroundings in Hong Kong ahead of his bid for the International Sprint.

The four-time Group One winner travelled with Hong Kong Cup contender Criterion with the pair to represent Australia at next Sunday’s showcase meeting.

Trainer Robert Heathcote has also arrived in Hong Kong and will give Buffering a solid work-out on Tuesday morning.

“I’m very, very happy,” Heathcote said.

“He took a couple of days to settle in and he’s nice and bright.”

Buffering had a look around Sha Tin on Friday and again on Saturday ahead of his more serious lead-up gallop.

The seven-year-old goes to the International Sprint after an Australian spring campaign which realised a Group One win in the Moir Stakes.

At his most recent start he finished fourth behind Terravista, Chautauqua and Lankan Rupee in the Darley Classic at Flemington.

The first three in the Darley Classic are the top-ranked sprinters in the latest world rankings.

“We won’t be doing a lot of work with him,” Heathcote said.

“I have a fit racehorse. He’s had some good solid racing in the spring down in Melbourne.”

Among Buffering’s opposition will be Irish horse Gordon Lord Byron, the winner of the George Ryder Stakes in Sydney during the autumn.

Criterion, who will be having his first start for new trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, will be up against some of the world’s best middle distance horses including French star Cirrus Des Aigles.

The veteran boasts a win over dual Arc winner Treve this year but his best result in four visits to Hong Kong so far has been his third in the 2013 Cup won by Akeed Mofeed.

This season he has also won the Group One Prix d’Ispahan and the Coronation Cup in England.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au