BUFFALO RIVER STEPS UP AT SANDOWN

Buffalo River has graduated to open company with a strong on-pace victory at Sandown on Saturday.

The four-year-old has now won five of his six starts in Australia following his win in the Ladbrokes Money Back Odds Handicap (1400m) on a heavy track Saturday.

Mike Moroney admitted to having concerns pre-race with the state of the track and the step up in class but was impressed with the style of victory.

“I thought it was an excellent win under the circumstances,” Moroney said.

“I thought he was going to be vulnerable there at one stage when he got out in the straight a long way from home but he surged again in the straight and changed gear which is a really good sign.

“My first thoughts are that he should go to the spelling paddock now, he should be able to get into races in the spring like the Rupert Clarke Stakes and Toorak Handicap with a light weight.”

Damien Oliver said Buffalo River was still developing and was looking forward to the future, having ridden him in four of his five victories.

"He's acclimatising well and he's got a summer coat on him," Oliver said.

"He's always shown good ability, he just does a few things wrong, but he's progressing really well.

"I was a bit surprised by the leader, but the horse is maturing and he's adapting better to different circumstances whereas last preparation he probably wasn't."