The inaugural Healesville Festival of Racing  kicks off today with two enthralling heats of the Winter Cup (350m), headlined by reigning Healesville Cup hero Zambora Lou v Braemar Prince (12 from 24) v multiple city winner Mr. Fix It.

Heat 2 is a sensational straight track showdown between Blackpool Flash (4 from 4 Box 1) v Hello George (8 of past 12) v Dr. Tucker (G3 Great Chase) v Pirate Pete (ex-Ballarat 450m TR).

Additionally, the clash between kennelmates Man Absconded (22 from 58) v Fortuna Bale (dual G2 Ballarat Cup placegetter) v Rilynn Bale (31 from 61) should be a cracker!

At Sandown Park, G3 Launching Pad winner Kuro Kismet (29.18sec PB) takes on Mepunga Reject (Cranbourne Winter Cup) and Eagles Nest Egg (5 from 7 Trk/Dis), while an intriguing 595m match-up looms between G1 staying finalists Run Like Jess v Kenny The Brute.

Three-time G2 finalist Dream Wizard (20 from 53) is the star of the show at Sale tonight, while Handsome Jack aims for four straight wins.

Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for ? The Watchdog’s $10 spend…

? MUST-WATCH RACE: Winter Cup Heat 2

BLACKPOOL FLASH ? ROCKET BOY ? DR. TUCKER ? MEPUNGA KNIGHT ? PIRATE PETE

? Healesville ? Race 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:31pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541426/race/6

The Watchdog says ?: This line-up looks like a Country Cup Final and there should be fireworks from box rise. BLACKPOOL FLASH (1) has come up with the right draw and he has been in rare form of late, whilst track specialist HELLO GEORGE (3) faces his toughest ever assignment up the straight. Both are winning chances, but they cannot afford to make any mistakes. ROCKET BOY (2) is just that, but with a keen railer on his outside, he is likely to get crowded and may not be able to get balanced until the race is almost over. DR. TUCKER (6) has returned to racing in amazing condition, and he is my top elect in this event. He blew away a top line-up at Warragul last time and back in May he carved out a breathtaking 18.84sec win here. If he can reproduce a similar run today, he will take a power of beating. MEPUNGA KNIGHT (7) is the value runner – he has scored some brilliant wins since resuming and he went to another level when covering the 400m journey at Geelong recently in a scorching 22.22sec. He is armed with a dynamic turn of foot, and he should get a nice cart across from ‘Tucker’ in the initial stages. PIRATE PETE (8) rounds out the big guns, he has been disappointing in his past two, but we all know how good he is on his day and, from a favourable draw, he will get every chance to balance up and put himself into contention. With a clear passage, I expect the winner to smash the 19 seconds barrier.

Selections:  6 – 7 – 8 – 1

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Sunday 4 July

? $2 Place – MEPUNGA KNIGHT
? Healesville ? Race 6 ? Box 7 ? 350m ⏱ 12:31pm                         ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $2.20 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541426/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : He has been ultra-impressive since resuming, however he went to another level when scoring at Geelong recently in a breathtaking 22.22sec. With ‘Tucker’ expected to begin well and carve to the inside, he should get a nice cart across, and he will really get into his work mid race. With an ounce of luck in running, he should figure in the finish.

? $2 Win – SPRING BJORN
? $1 Win – DOMINUS
? Healesville ? Race 12 ? Numbers 5 & 9 ? 300m ⏱ 2:22pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.10 Win (Spring Bjorn)
TAB fixed odds: $7.50 Win (Dominus)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541426/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : SPRING BJORN (5) has raced well up the straight here and in SA and if given room early, he should be able to pounce on the lead and score with ease. If he happens to make a mistake early, the first reserve DOMINUS (9) could be there to take advantage. He exits box three and with a wide runner on his outside, he will get every chance to put himself into contention.

? $2 Quaddie – 4.16% (48 combinations)
? Sandown Park ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 2:56pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541427/race/5

?: 1,2,3,7

? ?: 1,2,3

? ? ?: 3

? ? ? ?: 1,2,4,7

The Watchdog says ? : We have gone wide in the first and final legs in the hope of landing some value, whilst the second leg should be dominated by the inside three runners. CALL ME BUSTER (3) is a promising pup, and he looks well graded in the third leg, so we have anchored him.

? $3 Multi

First ?: Place – FRANK’S GIRL
? Sandown ? Race 6 ? 515m ⏱ 3:13pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541427/race/6

Second ?: Win – RUN LIKE JESS
? Sandown ? Race 11 ? Box 1 ? 595m ⏱ 4:50pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.90 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541427/race/11

Third ?: Place – DEFENSIBLE
? Sale ? Race 5 ? Box 2 ? 520m ⏱ 6:09pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.80 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541425/race/5

Fourth ?: Place – WHISTLING BULLET
? Sale ? Race 6 ? Box 8 ? 440m ⏱ 6:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541425/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : FRANK’S GIRL (1) has the inside draw, and should be a prominent player. RUN LIKE JESS (1) has the class edge and is expected to lead throughout. DEFENSIBLE (2) will get the gun run and a top three finish looks likely. WHISTLING BULLET (8) loves this track, and she can match motors with DREAM WIZARD (8) throughout.

Multi price: $6.70

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Friday 2 July: $17.73 (+77%)
Thursday 1 July: $11 (+10%)
Wednesday 30 June: $12.75 (+28%)
Tuesday 29 June: $10.84 (+8%)
Monday 28 June: $6.60 (-34%)
Sunday 27 June: $4.40 (-56%)
Saturday 26 June: $8.80 (-12%)

Past 7 days: $72.12 for $70 invested (+3%)

Past 14 days: $140.43 for $140 invested (Even)

Past 28 days: $335.85 for $280 (+20%)

? MONTH X MONTH RECORD

June 2021: $324.38 for $300 (+8%)

NOTE: June was the first full-month of the new-look Daily Mail, in which The Watchdog has a $10 daily spend.

*Please gamble responsibly