Buck Street Primed For Hobart Onslaught

RELATIVE newcomer to the training ranks Adam Whitford is confident that his exciting juvenile Buck Street can justify his odds-on quote in the opening event at Hobart on Thursday night.

35-year-old Whitford, just nine months into his training career, is building up a formidable kennel at his Brighton base ably assisted by father Graham.

"Dad trained about 15 years ago now and my plan was to always get back into the sport when I finished playing footy," Whitford said.

"I've been going for about nine months now and things are building up nicely. I've got four in work and some nice pups coming through as well."

At Hobart this Thursday night, Whitford rugs up the exciting Buck Street, the son of Buck Fever stepping up to the 461 metre journey for the first time following last week's slashing 19.44 victory over the 340 metres.

"He was pretty immature when I first got him but he's always shown us the talent is there," Whitford said.

"I bought him after he broke-in in Victoria and looking back now not being able to race him earlier due to the coronavirus shutdown has been a blessing. I couldn't rush him.

"I didn't do a lot with him for a while there and it helped him mature a lot. All I've done with him is what I've needed to. Early on he'd need a few days to get over a free gallop but now he's bouncing around the next day. He's really come into his own."

Buck Street has drawn box one for Thursday night's 461 metre assignment, the same draw he negotiated for last week's best of program 19.44 win over the 340 metres.

"This will be his first go out of the 461 metres so there's a little question how he'll see out the last bit – it's a long straight at Hobart," Whitford said.

"But I'm confident I've got the work into him. The plan was to always get a few starts into him before he went over the 461m at Hobart.

"I stepped up his work this week and he's handled it terrific. He's thrived actually. He had a few sore spots from last week but is right to go."

Bookies have installed Buck Street a red hot $1.40 favourite for the opening event on Thursday night ahead of Debbie Cannan's Judah Ben Hur at $4.80 from box five.

"The best thing about him is that he's very professional," Whitford said.

"He'll take a run if need be and put himself into the race. From the red he should get every chance to push through and lead."  

While Whitford has just one runner engaged at Thursday's Hobart meeting he has declared that Belt Up Libba will be front and centre for next week's Greg Fahey Distance Championships.

"I'm looking forward to getting her back up in trip," Whitford said.

"She needs 600-700 metres; anything less than that for her is just too short."