Buffering has missed a gallop in preparation for the Hong Kong Sprint but trainer Robert Heathcote insists the four-time Group One winner will take his place in Sunday’s race.

Due to work on the course proper at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning, Buffering was a notable absentee from the trackwork session when Heathcote found him lame in his stable.

Heathcote said Buffering had developed a hoof abscess but some urgent attention from the farrier had saved the sprinter’s campaign.

“I was concerned when we arrived at the stables around 7.30 this morning and the horse could hardly put his foot down,” Heathcote said.

“But the farrier was there in no time and did a brilliant job.”

Heathcote expects Buffering to be sound enough to work on Wednesday but he is likely to wait another 24 hours before asking the tenacious sprinter to exercise.

“I suspect he’d be fine to work tomorrow but we might play it safe and work him Thursday morning,” Heathcote said.

“We had planned to gallop him this morning on the turf but working him later in the week is not a problem. No drama, I think he’ll be fine.”

Sprint rivals Gordon Lord Byron and Sole Power kept to Sha Tin’s all-weather track and barely raised a sweat as they cantered around the circuit.

Winner of the George Ryder Stakes during this year’s Sydney autumn carnival, Gordon Lord Byron has settled in well in his third trip to Hong Kong.

“He’s travelled well, and everything is in good order with the horse,” assistant trainer Eddie Power said.

“He’s run well here twice in the Mile, but I think the Sprint is his race.”

Sole Power is on target to at least run as well as last year when runner-up in the Sprint.

“Although he lost about 10 kilos that is standard and he is drinking and eating plenty,” the sprinter’s groom David Mason said.

“He was squealing this morning and is in great shape.”

Article from justhorseracing.com.au