PROVING an astute purchase for those who have shown faith in him during the past six months, versatile trotter Buckles will attempt to reward connections again this weekend.
With one win from his previous 22 starts when bought by clients of the Dennis Grieve stable, Buckles won four of his six outings before being sold again.
Finding himself in the care of prominent South Australian horsewoman Ingrid Smith, the son of Sebastian K has registered four wins from nine outings since crossing the border.
Triumphant at Globe Derby during his last two starts, Buckles will return to the venue on Sunday night, where he faces a solid field over 2230 metres.
"He's been a top buy...we can't complain that's for sure," Smith's husband and regular reinsman, David, said. "We've won four with him and he's also run a third, so is more than paying his way.
"Sunday will be tougher as there is a bit of form in the race."
To be driven by David, Buckles has drawn barrier six, but slots into five with the removal of the emergency.
Betting markets have the five-year-old listed on the third line of betting at $3.50.
Despite his second row draw, Itz Trixton Time is the $2.50 favourite, with Majestic Tilly splitting the pair at $3 from gate eight.
"The mobile conditions help him at this stage given where his rating is," David said. "That said, he has drawn a bit awkwardly.
"There's a few in it that go alright, so it won't be a walk in the park that's for sure.
"I've got confidence in a sense of how he is going, but I still don't know how the race will be run, so I can't be over confident."
