Already a shrewd purchase, underrated trotter Buckles has the potential to become the bargain buy of the year.
Registering a win from 22 starts before joining Denis Grieve’s stable, Buckles has been a revelation, scoring at three of his four outings for the astute horseman.
Also third during his other run, the son of Sebastian K has doubled his purchase price, with the promise of more to come.
In fact, a favourable performance in Bendigo tonight will provide the four-year-old with the opportunity to chase the lion’s share of $100,000.
Undertaking a sizable step up in grade, Buckles is set to contest a Vicbred Super Series heat for the colts and geldings, with a top six finish required to qualify for next week’s final.
“I changed a few things around with him when he got here and he hasn’t set a hoof wrong since,” Grieve said. “He has been a great pick up.
“He’s no star, but he can get down in grade as he goes along.”
To be driven by Greg Sugars, Buckles has drawn awkwardly in barrier five, which has seen the squaregaiter listed as the rank outsider at $151 with the TAB.
Runner-up in last season’s Vicbred final, Arcee Phoenix is the $1.40 favourite from gate two.
“There is no doubt this is a big step up for him,” Grieve said. “I’m not sure he should be those odds, but he will be relying on luck.
“It’s not an ideal draw, but it’s up to Greg to sort that out now.
“Hopefully he does enough to get into the final, then we reset and look for a better draw for that.”
While there is two Vicbred heats for the four-year-old trotting colts and geldings tonight, there will be three for the four-year-old trotting fillies.
In that division, a top four finish is required to qualify for the Group 1 final at Melton on September 16.
TUNE IN at BENDIGO on Thursday
First Race: 5.30pm Last Race: 10.03pm
Racecaller: Lachlan McIntosh.
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
Winner of the Week
MAGICAL MAYA, by Bettors Delight out of Making Magic, at Albion Park on September 2.
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
