Sea Siren is likely to shorten as Stradbroke Handicap favourite after drawing gate six in today’s barrier draw at Eagle Farm.

The three-year-old filly is looking to take out the triple crown of Brisbane winter racing, having already won both the Group 1 BTC Cup and Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in her past two race starts.

Sea Siren has drawn favourable in barrier 6 for the Stradbroke Handicap - photo © Daniel Costello

Sea Siren will have to contend with a with a weight of 55 kilograms, which sees her meet Bufferingone kilogram worse off than in their most recent clash, in which Buffering finished second by a head.

Buffering himself will need to be at his best for Saturday’s Stradbroke after drawing barrier 18 for the race.

The four-year-old is likely to move in to barrier 14 after all five emergencies are withdrawn, meaning there will be just four horses on his outside.

Trainer Robert Heathcote was dissapointed in the barrier draw result, however, believes Buffering is still more than capable of producing a win.

“At the end of the day the draw’s been done,” Heathcote said.

“It’s certainly made it a little tougher.

“I see some of the other main contenders for the race and they’ve drawn favourably.”

The draw will make it all the  more difficult for Buffering as he prepares to fight for the early lead in the $1 million race.

“There’s no doubt they like to go out and lead,” Heathcote said of the other runners.

“The one advantage my horse has is that he can sustain high pressure, he’s proven that.”

Heathcote is eager to win the Stradbroke Handicap for the first time in his career.

“It’s a special race, it’s a number one race all over Australia,” he said.

“Here we are in my own back yard with a horse I’m responsible for buying with a great group of owners.”

Buffering will be attempting to post his first Group 1 win in the 1,400 metre Stradbroke after narrowly missing out on multiple occasions.