Reigning Waterloo Cup winner ASTON BINTANG makes his return from a three-month spell in a Derby heat at Healesville tomorrow afternoon.
The greyhound racing action will be red hot up the Healesville straight, with two heats of the Oaks followed by three heats of the Derby from just after midday.
The first Oaks heat kicks off at 12.04pm (Race 4) and typifies the quality on the card, with young gun BAREKI (Won 5 from 7) taking on BRING YOUR BANJO (13 from 25) in what looks a cracking two-way battle.
BRING YOUR BANJO looks well drawn in Box 8, having had six starts out of the pink alley for three wins and three minor placings, which is enough to earn The Watchdog’s top selection.
“BRING YOUR BANJO can pounce on the lead from out wide and she has the ability to bust the 19 second barrier,” the expert form analyst said.
“However, BAREKI has some electric wins and will be pouring on the pressure from Box 1.”
Another sensational two-way clash looms looks likely in the second Derby heat (Race 7, 12.54pm), with the Ashlee Terry-trained SODA DIAMOND (won 7 from 8) up against MIDNIGHT MONARCH (4 from 6).
Despite SODA DIAMOND entering the race with five straight wins, The Watchdog has selected the latter to win.
“MIDNIGHT MONARCH was a dynamic recent winner at Healesville in 19.31sec, the fastest PB of any greyhound in that particular race, and he appears to be the real deal,” The Watchdog said.
Champion courser ASTON BINTANG, a winner of 10 from 20 on the TAB circuit, faces a tough task first up in Race 8 Box 8 at 1.14pm. However, The Watchdog believes Paul Abela’s speedster is up to the challenge.
