GEELONG, RACE 12 BOX 7, 10:39PM

The ‘smoke signal’ will be wafting across Geelong tonight, with the aptly named Chief Long Face contesting a Grade Five over 400 metres.

Obviously, The Watchdog thinks Chief Long Face will ‘circle the wagons’ as he’s one of the form analyst’s ‘Best Bets’ on the program.

Two starts ago, he finished a gallant second (beaten three lengths) to Untold Solider in a scintillating 22.26sec over this trip. The winning time is only four lengths off the 22.01sec track record, set by Aston Bolero in August 2016.

Prepared by Avalon mentor Michelle Mallia-Magri, Chief Long Face (box seven) has notched one win, one second and one third in three starts from the ‘black’ alley.

‘Paw’ Note: The Watchdog’s other ‘Best Bet’ is Runnin’ Royalty (Race 8, Box 2) at 9:14pm. Trained at Exford by John Barbara, Runnin’ Royalty is chasing his 20th win from 30 starts. He has won six of his last seven starts.

Here is a replay of Chief Long Face winning over 390 metres at Ballarat in mid-March: