Classy duo Christo Bale and Slingshot Titan are set to lock horns in what looms as a great battle at Bendigo this afternoon.

A regular at group level with more than $200,000 in the bank, Christo Bale made a welcome return to form last start.

Meanwhile, Slingshot Titan boasts a 53% winning strike rate after 25 victories from 47 starts, while his record in the yellow rug, which he’ll wear today, is simply extraordinary having won 7 from 10.

A bumper clash will also take place at Geelong tonight with dual country cups winner Ferdinand Boy taking on former Horsham and Shepparton track record holder Benchester in Race 11 at 10.16pm.

MUST-WATCH RACE: Peter Brown Custom Homes Mixed 4/5

SLINGSHOT TITAN ? CHRISTO BALE

? Bendigo ? Race 8 ? 500m ⏱ 2:52pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/565711020/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : CHRISTO BALE (6) is one of the best in the business and after a string of luckless runs, he was able to regain some much needed confidence when scoring at Geelong last time out. There is a fair bit of speed drawn inside today, so he should be able to drift across and settle just off the pace and, with an ounce of luck, go back to back. SLINGSHOT TITAN (5) is the obvious danger. He was brilliant when placed here last week. He went through the first marker in a blinding 6.40sec before running out of petrol in the closing stages. That was his first 500m run for quite some time, so he should be better for the run and he will be a little stronger in the run home. ROBIN’S CHOICE (1) returned to form at Warrnambool last time, and he should be prominent throughout, whilst the strong GEMMA BLUE (2) could be the value runner. ‘Gemma’ can follow the red through early and she will charge late, so she may be a nice anchor in your exotics behind the champ.

Selections:  6 – 5 – 1 – 2

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Friday 21 May

? $2 Place – GEMMA BLUE 
? Bendigo ? Race 8 ? Box 2 ?500m ⏱ 2:52pm            ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/565711020/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : Although not selected in the top three as I believe others are better winning chances, she is a talented type, and the draw should enable her to sneak into some minor money at nice odds. Two starts back, she turned in an eye-catching performance behind SLINGSHOT TITAN (5) over 450m at Ballarat and she will relish the step up to 500m.

? $2 Multi

First ?: PLACE – KISS YOUR LIPS
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
? Bendigo ? Race 9  ?  Box 2 ?425m ⏱ 3:07pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/565711020/race/9

Second ?: WIN – BYRON BALE
? Geelong ? Race 5 ?  Box 4 ?460m ⏱ 8:09pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.95 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/638917786/race/5

Third ?: WIN – FERDINAND BOY
? Geelong ? Race 11 ? Box 1 ?400m ⏱ 10:16pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.28 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/638917786/race/11

The Watchdog says ? : KISS YOUR LIPS (2) has been airborne in recent months and she will get a nice sit on the ‘red’ for most of the trip and a top three finish looks likely. BYRON BALE (4) has the class edge and is racing with extreme confidence. With a clean getaway he can lead throughout. FERDINAND BOY (1) is an all-star, and he should be able to hold BENCHESTER (5) in the run to the first bend.

Multi price: $3.62

? $3 Place – GINTOKI BALE 
? Geelong ? Race 3 ? Box 8 ?460m ⏱ 7:27pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.20 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/638917786/race/3

The Watchdog says ? : He has continued to improve with each run and he should get every chance to balance up and put himself into contention from this favourable draw. There is a stack of speed drawn underneath him and most of them will be hunting for the rail, so he should avoid early bother and power to the line. Great winning chance but the value lies with the place option.

? $3 Win – QUINTANA BALE
? Geelong ? Race 8 ? Box 4 ? 460m ⏱ 9:07pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/638917785/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : She has always shown enormous potential and after a string of luckless runs, she is expected to make amends tonight. With early pace drawn in box three and a lack of speed drawn in five, she should get every chance to hit her stride and get a nice cart across in the run to the first turn. She is a tremendous talent and with the ability to get down to the 25.60sec mark, she should prove too classy.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Thursday 20 May: $0 return (-100%)
Wednesday 19 May: $17.43 return (+74%)
Tuesday 18 May: $0 return (-100%)
Monday 17 May: $24.62 return (+146%)
Sunday 16 May: $8.50 return (-15%)
Saturday 15 May: $13.60 return (+36%)
Friday 14 May: $7.05 return (-30%)

Past 7 days: $71.18 for $70 invested (+2%)

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