Trainer Robert Heathcote says the spring absence of superstar sprinters Black Caviar and Hay List is not the reason he has altered Buffering's program to include Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The Queenslander admits Buffering's program has been moved forward to the Group Two Moir Stakes (1200m) but says it is simply because the five-year-old is ready earlier than expected.

"This is not so much an afterthought, but it wasn't initially on the plan," Heathcote said.

"They (owners) didn't want to put any pressure on us to have the horse ready for this particular race after a couple of tough runs (in Brisbane)."

Buffering finished second at his past two starts in the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 26 and Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.

"I wanted to ensure he had a good break. He came back and we didn't pressure him and he came to hand," Heathcote said.

"I've been fortunate because so far he's had one of those preparations where there hasn't been a hair out of place so I just shifted the program forward a couple of weeks.

"I think with this run under his belt we'll see him blossom in the next couple of weeks."

Heathcote expects last start winner Tiger Tees to test Buffering but said the gelding would not surrender easily.

"The advantage he has tomorrow night is that he's a proven weight-for-age sprinter, he can carry weight and he has the desirable attribute that he's tough," he said.

"When the cards are on the table he really digs deep and he doesn't stop until he hits that line, irrespective of who he's racing."

Buffering has been placed seven times at Group One level and in five of those he has finished behind either Black Caviar or Hay List or both.