Expert form analyst The Watchdog believes Ferdinand Boy (pictured) is a good thing in Friday night’s $67,000 Bottle-O Ballarat Cup Final (450m).

After Shima Classic recorded the fastest heat win (24.76sec) and subsequently drew box two in the final, TAB instilled her as the $2.30 favourite ahead of Ferdinand Boy at $2.80.

However, the market has swung with Ferdinand Boy now into $2.30 favouritsm, while Shima Classic has drifted to $2.50.

Drawn in box 8, Ferdinand Boy is chasing back-to-back country cups after he won last month’s Group 2 Shepparton Cup in track record time from the pink alley.

“I thought Ferdinand Boy (8) deserved to be favourite (initially). I think (trainer) Dave Geall will be able to take another length off him from his heat run (24.92sec). The dog is airborne, he’s got his box, everything points to him.”

“Shima Classic (2) was brilliant in her heat when she speared the lids, and she normally doesn’t begin like that.  She went 6.31sec (Best), 24.76sec (Best). I can’t see her spearing the lids again. If she does then she’s off and gone and wins the prize.”

“Aussie Secret (1) comes out and he’ll want to move right, then you’ve good two quick beginners in Bound To Succeed (3) and Aston Gwen (4). They’ve got great mat speed and they also move to the inside soon after boxrise so I can see Shima Classic getting crowded. She’s going to need a few things to go her way.”

“I think Ferdinand Boy looks an absolute moral.”

Shima Classic and Ferdinand Boy are the two youngest greyhounds in the Ballarat Cup at 24 months and 27 months respectively and this could be the start of an exciting rivalry between the dynamic pair.

HOW THE WATCHDOG WOULD SPEND $20 ON THE BALLARAT CUP

$10 Win – Ferdinand Boy
Trifecta – 8 / 2,3,4,7 / 1,2,3,4,6,7 ($10 for 50%)

WATCH: Ferdinand Boy (8) takes out the Shepparton Cup in track record time, his sixth win from seven starts out of the pink alley.