In winning form and with a typical full book, punters need to look no further than Grant Buckley, supported by his vital ally and a strong local stable into Friday’s Bathurst TAB meeting in heavy conditions - transferred from Orange in inclement weather.
The widely travelled Buckley has three rides for Gayna Williams and was in demand at the Thursday Quirindi TAB meeting after a winning double at Narromine on Tuesday.
Grant Buckley [pictured left] stayed in the region to ride barrier trials at Scone on Wednesday, onto Quirindi Thursday and Bathurst on Friday.
With such daunting workload and the travel time involved “Bucko’s” major ally comes into play big time. His wife Chantelle, Sky Racing analyst and former jockey.
“Lifesaver is Chantelle, a heavy track can be an unknown, she’ll have been right through the form and speed maps by the time I get to it after riding Quirindi - liaise and feedback tonight,” Buckley explained.
“But I look to have live chances for Gayna Williams.”
Buckley has three appealing rides for the Country Championships stable after they combined for a winner at Narromine.
“Guaranteed Gayna’s runners are always hard to beat on the home track in the right races.
“That gelding Electric Storm is well placed I rode it in a recent trial, it’ll be fitter off that, solid run first-up and raced well in this grade before a spell. Out to 1400m suits.”
Electric Storm contests the JB Civil Concreting Class 1 (1400m). Consistent stablemate Own the Night is in the Bathurst Communications Boosted Maiden (1300m).
“Been around the mark with placings, without knowing the opposition, its drawn OK in a suitable maiden.
“In the last I rode Gayna’s mare Boongarra Girl when she won a maiden at Orange - real big win and on a heavy eight. But drawn wide makes it tough at Bathurst.
“I advised Gayna to use a Norton bit on her and she’ll be fitter second-up.”
Boongarra Girl contests the Erin’s Quality Outdoor Power Centre Class 1, 1000m. At present Bathurst is a Heavy 8 in fine weather with no rain forecast.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Bathurst here