It is hard to get excited about backing rising nine-year-olds but when they are as tough and tenacious as Robert Heathcote's bulldog, you know you will get a great sight for your money.

Set to run in his 30th major – the most of any Australian racehorse in the past decade – on the first of two big group 1 days during the Perth carnival, smart shoppers can still get $4 about Buffering repeating his heart-stopping Winterbottom Stakes win from two years ago.

It is always perilous to undervalue the West Australian contingent, but if the strength of the Melbourne spring carnival form is any guide, then Buffering has the Winterbottom Stakes almost at his mercy.

And Buffering was forced to beat Barakey two years ago on his own turf. Does there appear to be a horse with the class of Barakey idling in this year's line-up?

The other eastern state raider Fast'N'Rocking ($5.50) beat Buffering home in the Manikato Stakes last month, but Rich Enuff tormented Buffering in the Moonee Valley scamper, setting up the race for Chautauqua to swoop home.

Beaten a little more than half-a-length in Delectation's Darley Classic, Buffering only has to travel well to be at the pointy end here. There should be a greater discrepancy between him and Fast'N'Rocking at the head of markets.

The locals might have the visitors' measure in the Railway Stakes. Bob Peters will have four runners in search of his third Railway Stakes and wonder mare Delicacy heads charts. The west's wizard jockey William Pike opting for the mare over Peters-owned Real Love is a strong pointer.