Pass The Buck Return Sets Phoenix Tongues Wagging

A mesmerising return to racing on Friday has seen gifted youngster Pass The Buck take a giant stride towards securing a potential berth in the $1.65m The Phoenix.

The Anthony Azzopardi-trained son of Bernardo had been burning up the track in trials leading into his Bendigo assignment, his first start since going amiss in the final of the Group 3 Great Chase at The Meadows in October.

Extending his career record to eight dashing wins from 10 starts, Pass The Buck powered away late to score in a slashing 23.49, the third fastest time posted at Bendigo for the 425 metre journey this year.

Just Postman Pat, a confirmed The Phoenix hopeful at 23.44, and his hugely exciting kennelmate Verdi at 23.45, have gone faster.

Well that was some run! ????

Pass the Buck gives Anthony Azzopardi a chance to go back-to-back in the Group 3 Great Chase next Wednesday.

5.02 early and 29.672 overall – a complete performance for a rising star???? pic.twitter.com/z3sDNLLxWD

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) October 11, 2023

With a couple of slot holders yet to play their hand in The Phoenix, it's understood Pass The Buck's powerhouse Bendigo display has the prodigious talent in the box seat to be at The Meadows for the showpiece event on December 16.

Slot holders yet to declare their runner are Tabcorp and Total Container Solutions while it's understood Sportsbet and trainer Kel Greenough will wait a bit longer before deciding whether Wow She's Fast lines up for an historic third The Phoenix bid.

The five Phoenix runners so far are Postman Pat (Greyhounds HQ), Alpha Zulu (Good Blokes Society), Schillaci (Ladbrokes Racing Club), Big Energy (RSN), Jay Is Jay (Racing Queensland).

Bookmakers have Big Energy favourite at $2.90 ahead of Alpha Zulu at $4.40 and Postman Pat at $4.50.

Shortest of the greyhounds to yet be formally announced in the field are Pass The Buck and Wow She's Fast at $9 while Schillaci, representing Ladbrokes, is a $10 chance.

Jay Is Jay shot to $7 in betting following his sensational Queensland Flame triumph at Albion Park on Thursday night.