Pass The Buck has claimed a Warragul Cup at his second attempt, less than a month after switching ownership into a syndicate run by his trainer Anthony Azzopardi.

The Rowsley-trained dog showed speed from box three and led all of the way, holding off a challenge from Flying Zulu to win in a time of 25.48.

And Azzopardi was confident going into the final that his boy had the early speed capable of winning, just weeks after putting together a syndicate to buy out the dog’s breeders and former owners Darren and Michael Puleio.

“I told the owners, ‘I think he’ll lead all of the way tonight’,” Azzopardi said post-race.

“He was on song tonight, he was really focused.”

Azzopardi delved deeper into the change of ownership on RSN’s Grey Areas last Friday, ahead of Pass The Buck’s heat win.

“I sort of said, ‘I would like to buy the dog and the dog will never leave me here’, because I want him to live here the rest of his life, I want to keep him as a pet and maybe get a few litters out of him too,” he said.

“So the decision was made. We bought the dog, a couple of friends came in with me. Let’s hope he can perform.”

Perform he has, with Azzopardi telling Grey Areas last week that the one-time Phoenix favourite was in the best shape of his career.

“I’ve got to say, he’s probably the best I’ve ever had him,” he said.

“I’m very happy with him; it’s the first time I can say he’s 100 per cent. He’s a very fast animal … when you get him right, he will perform.”

Favourite Zeus Thunderbolt showed some speed early but settled a length behind Pass The Buck, with Flying Zulu on his outside, but couldn’t shake the Thompson-trained dog who eventually cleared out in second.

Zipping Hopkins just held out Field Day for the minor placing.