Star sprinter Fernando Bluey will headline Wednesday racing when he returns to The Meadows for the first time since his gallant second to WA champion Tommy Shelby in the G1 Australian Cup on February 27, beaten only a half-head.

Trained by teenager Kayla Cottrell, Fernando Bluey (18 from 36 – 6 from 6 Box 1 – 5 from 9 Trk/Dst – 29.77sec PB) returns to 525m after a running second to another star in Ferdinand Boy in track record time over 385m at Shepparton.

Another highlight of The Meadows’ card will see Gypsy Wyong (6 from 11 – 4 from 5 Box 2) step back up to 600m after a close third in a heat of the G1 Maturity Classic last Saturday night.

Wednesday night’s Ballarat card will feature an enticing match-up between ex-SA G3 winner Fly For Trix (19 from 30), now with Steve White, and 3-time G2 country cups finalist Dream Wizard (22 from 55 – 2 from 2 Box 5).

The impeccably bred Revolution, a son of Fernando Bale and G1 winner Elevated, shapes as the testing material in the Vic Bred Maiden Final after a runaway heat victory on debut.

Other notables on display at Ballarat include Louie Lou (6 from 13), Soda Diamond (11 from 18 – 2 from 3 box 7) and Slingshot Titan (28 from 53 – 4 from 8 Box 6), which is chasing a fourth straight win.

Meanwhile at Cranbourne, Alumni (5 from 8 Trk/Dst – 4 of past 7) is taking aim at a hat-trick, while Miss Martina (3 from 6 – 1 from 1 Trk/Dst), a kennelmate and half-sister to G1 performers Fernando Cazz and Fernando Bluey, is striving to continue the promising start to her career.

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: Cookes Electrical And Air Conditioning Grade 4

FERNANDO BLUEY ? MALAYAH BALE ? ASTON GWEN

? The Meadows ? Race 12 ? 525m ⏱ 3:25pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541484/race/12

The Watchdog says ?: We must wait until the last race in the card but it’s definitely worth the wait with Group 1 Australian Cup runner-up FERNANDO BLUEY (1) returning to one of his favourite stomping grounds. He has been sparingly raced of late due to injury, but he showed he is still at an elite level at Shepparton last time out. He had his colours lowered, however superstar Ferdinand Boy had to run a track record 21.31sec over the 385m journey to beat him. From the good inside today, he is expected to pounce on the early lead and a sub 29.80sec run could be on the cards. ASTON GWEN (8) is a Group 2 winner, and she is one of the most consistent chasers in the game. She returned to the winner’s list with a gutsy 34.74sec win here and she drops back to her favourite distance range today. MALAYAH BALE (5) relies heavily on luck in her races, however she can unwind with colossal finishes and she will appreciate the smaller line-up today. If ‘Bluey’ does everything right at box rise, I cannot see them getting near him and outside of ‘Gwen’ and ‘Malayah’, TIBERIA BALE (4) appears to be the only other serious chance to fill a minor spot.

Selections:  1 – 5 – 8 – 4

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Wednesday 21 July

? $4 Place – ZIPPY VOLKSWAGON
? The Meadows ? Race 4 ? Box 1 ? 525m ⏱ 1:07pm
TAB fixed odds: $2 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541484/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : ZIPPY VOLKSWAGON (1) has turned in some strong performances of late and, from the inside draw, he should be able to settle a little closer to the speed than normal. He is going to need a little bit of luck in running, but he is a powerful type and a top three finish looks likely.

? $2 Quaddie – 5.55% (36 combinations)
? The Meadows ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 1:22pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541484/race/5

?: 1,2,7
? ?: 2
? ? ?: 4,5,7
? ? ? ?: 2,3,4,7

The Watchdog says ?: XAVIEN BALE (7) is a serious prospect and looks suited in the first leg, however we have included the inside two runners to be safe. GYPSY WYONG (2) is legit, and she just needs an ounce of luck early in the second leg. Very keen on LIGHT’S ACTION (5) in the third leg, however we have included PATCHES COLOUR (4) and MY DEWANA PENNY (7) to try and get some value. The last leg is quite open. INKA BALE (1) should lead but I give her little chance of running out the trip, so whoever can sit second or third should prove hard to hold out.

? $4 Multi

First ?: Win – FERNANDO BLUEY
? The Meadows ? Race 12 ? Box 1 ? 525m ⏱ 3:25pm                    ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541484/race/12

Second ?: Place – BURNING AMY
? Bendigo ? Race 3 ? Box 1 ? 425m ⏱ 3:39pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.22 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541485/race/3

Third ?: Place – ASTON TRIBUTE
? Bendigo ? Race 8 ? Box 1 ? 500m ⏱ 5:07pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Place (top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541485/race/8

Fourth ?: Win – ASTON MIREYA
? Ballarat ? Race 9 ? Box 4 ? 390m ⏱ 9:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.90 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541486/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : FERNANDO BLUEY (1) appears to be a gift and should be leading throughout. BURNING AMY (1) is an improving type and from the inside alley there should be no excuses. ASTON TRIBUTE (1) is suitably graded and, with a clean getaway, a top two finish looks likely. ASTON MIREYA (4) has plenty on her rivals and is a near faultless beginner, so she should be leading throughout.

Multi price: $4.38

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Tuesday 20 July: $17.69 (+77%)
Monday 19 July: $0 (-100%)
Sunday 18 July: $3.90 (-61%)
Saturday 17 July: $0 (-100%)
Friday 16 July: $20.60 (+106%)
Thursday 15 July: $15.30 (+53%)
Wednesday 14 July: $9.40 (-6%)

Past 7 days: $66.89 for $70 invested (-4%)

Past 14 days: $132.23 for $140 Invested (-6%)

Past 28 days: $311.11 for $280 Invested (+11%)

? 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