Superstar sprinter Tiggerlong Tonk will return to the spotlight at Bendigo on Friday afternoon, searching for his first victory since taking out the G1 Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park in May.
Tiggerlong Tonk (39 from 89 – 5 from 11 Box 3), which also won the G1 Perth Cup in April, has been beaten at his past 4 starts and will feature in a ‘no holds barred’ clash against another prolific pair in Rilynn Bale (32 from 68 – 3 from 6 Trk/Dst) and Slingshot Titan (29 from 55 – 4 of past 5).
Tiggerlong Tonk’s young trainer Correy Grenfell and wife Samantha have two other strong Bendigo prospects in littermates Usman Bale (6 from 17) and Xavien Bale (8 from 24).
Also not to be missed is the match-up between Group finalists Smart As Jack (18 from 44 – 3 from 5 Trk/Dst) and Zipping Zarbo (26 from 58 – 2 from 2 Trk/Dst).
Meanwhile, the class runner at Sale is two-time Group finalist Earn The Answers (10 from 34 – 3 from 5 Box 8), while other notable contenders on the card include ‘strike rate’ duo Perfect Colour (17 from 44) and Made Me Blind (18 from 42 – won past 4).
Earlier, Six Speed Manual will be striving to back-up a flying 25.19sec debut victory at Shepparton.
One of the highlights at Geelong will come in the final race of the night when in-form duo Aston Mireya (12 from 41) and Waldemar Bale (8 from 22) lock horns.
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: Bill Wilkinson Optical Free For All
TIGGERLONG TONK ? RILYNN BALE ? SLINGSHOT TITAN
? Bendigo ? Race 5 ? 425m ⏱ 4:37pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538441/race/5
The Watchdog says ?: The great TIGGERLONG TONK (3) makes his return to the track after five weeks off and should be primed for a bold first-up showing. The dual Group 1 winner had been taking all before him and I’m expecting another big preparation. No doubt he’ll be looking to add more feature events to his impressive CV. A forward showing is expected today, however punters might not want to rush in at the skinny odds as he takes on a few smart ones. The box draw hasn’t done him any favours; however, with a slow beginner on his outside, he should get some room to move early and that will allow him to put himself in a threatening position at the bend. SLINGSHOT TITAN (8) has won four of his past five in devastating fashion and a staggering 29 of 55 overall. He comes up with the perfect draw and if he can step evenly should utilise his explosive turn of foot. And if there’s some bunching underneath, he may be off and gone through the bend. With the ability to go sub-23.60sec, he’s right in the mix. RILYNN BALE (6) is another runner with an amazing strike rate, having won 32 of 68, and she returned to her brilliant best with a slashing 21.64sec Shepparton win. She’s a near-faultless beginner and may cut off ‘Tonk’ as they head into the bend and that could make the race for her and ‘Slingshot’. DARK COMPASS (1) and MAN ABSCONDED (2) are both incredibly talented; however, with the depth in this event, they appear to be place chances at best. Fingers crossed the three main elects all begin well and it will then be a keenly contested event.
Selections: 8 – 6 – 3 – 1
