New rider for Buffalo River at the Caulfield Heath races

The Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson-trained Buffalo River will have a change of jockey when he runs on the Caulfield Heath track on Saturday.

With apprentice Celine Gaudray taking a break before Christmas, Declan Bates has been called upon to ride the gelding in a Benchmark 100 race over 1500m on Saturday.

Thompson is hoping the change of rider will encourage Buffalo River be cleaner from the barriers.

The co-trainer said Buffalo River was doing himself no favours by jumping slowly and then working early in the race to find the front.

Buffalo River finished second in Stakes company at Caulfield three starts ago while at his most recent outing finished fourth in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) on November 30.

“He’s racing well but he’s just not helping himself by jumping away a little bit slower now,” Thompson said.

“He’s then just having to do that little bit extra work to get to the front.

“It looks like a nice race for him on Saturday and we’re hoping to try and get a slot in that race at Pakenham next week.”

Thompson said there had been some interest in Buffalo River for a slot in the $1 million The Supernova (1400m) on December 21.

He said he was unsure whether Buffalo River would take his place on Saturday if the slot interest in Buffalo River came to fruition.

“There’s been no decision if he gets a slot as to whether he runs on Saturday or not,” Thompson said.

Thompson expects the Caulfield Heath track to suit Buffalo River on Saturday, especially if the gelding can mend his barrier manners.

The gelding has not been given any barrier practice between runs.

“He’s old and set in his ways, so there’s not much you can do,” Thompson said.

“You don’t want to be taking him to the gates between runs and rev him up too much.

“He’s in the twilight and you just hope he can step away a bit better on Saturday.”

Stablemate Mathletic, also a nomination in Saturday’s race, is likely to bypass the contest and instead contest a jump-out at Flemington on Friday with a view to racing the following week.