Ferdinand Boy (24 from 44) will continue his assimilation with the Healesville straight track today as his preparation for the G2 Healesville Cup gathers momentum.

The dual G2 country cup champion was third to Utah Ghost and Smart As Jack in last Sunday’s Victorian Straight Track Championship final in only his second start at Healesville over 350m.

His main danger today appears to be Mt. View Audrey; victorious in three of her last four races.

Hill Top Jonah (10 from 23) has won consecutive races at Healesville and David Geall will be hoping that the litter brother of Koblenz – last night’s G3 Warragul St Leger runner-up – is the first leg of a training double, along with Ferdinand Boy.

G2 Ballarat Cup finalist Oriental Amber (22 from 46) is expected to prevail in her first race up the Healesville straight.

Two Group finalists are resuming with Hadouken racing for the first time since contesting April’s G3 Launching Pad final and Daniel Avocado – a finalist in last year’s G2 Ballarat Cup – returning to the track for the first time since Boxing Day.

At Geelong, dual Group finalist Well Grounded v Kipling (21 from 54) promises to be a fascinating duel, while G1 Sapphire Crown finalist Mepunga Katie runs for the first time since late May.

Meanwhile, at Sale, finalists from The Horizon in June are in action with Massimo (11 from 29 – 24.70sec PB) v Omega Dodge in the 440m Free For All.

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: Healesville Festival of Racing Free For All

FERDINAND BOY ? The Clock

? Healesville ? Race 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:39pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538445/race/6

The Watchdog says ?: Superstar FERDINAND BOY (6) has been brilliant in his past two runs here and, with the smaller line-up today, it should be a matter of times and margins. He went close to breaking the 19 seconds barrier here two runs back and he followed that run up with a top placing behind the explosive Utah Ghost. Surprisingly, he went two lengths quicker to the first marker before getting a little tired last time out, as they poured on the pressure mid race on that occasion and that probably explains why he didn’t hit the line as well as he normally would. Today’s assignment is significantly easier, so with the lack of pressure, ‘Ferdinand’ should get a cheap lead and he could bust the 19 seconds barrier. MT. VIEW AUDREY (4) and BRUREE TOWN (2) look likely to fight out the quinella spot. Both are evenly matched and the first 50m will be crucial to their chances.

Selections:  6 – 4 – 2 – 8

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
?  Sunday 8 August

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – HILL TOP JONAH
? Healesville ? Race 4 ? Box 1 ? 300m ⏱ 11:55am
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538445/race/4

Second ?: Win – FERDINAND BOY
? Healesville ? Race 6 ? Box 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:39pm          **Must Watch Race**
TAB fixed odds: $1.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538445/race/6

Third ?: Win – ORIENTAL AMBER
? Healesville ? Race 7 ? Box 3 ? 350m ⏱ 12:59pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538445/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : All shorties but they do look well suited today. Kennelmates HILL TOP JONAH (1) and FERDINAND BOY (6) have been lighting up this track in recent weeks and both will be carving out serious sectionals in front. ORIENTAL AMBER (3) has panels on her rivals and should be leading throughout.

Multi price: $2.63

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – PEAKY BLAZER
? Geelong ? Race 3 ? Box 1 ? 460m ⏱ 2:46pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.75 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/680721726/race/3

Second ?: Win – OSPREY ROSE
? Geelong ? Race 4 ? Box 7 ? 460m ⏱ 3:04pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/680721726/race/4

Third ?: Place – OLIVER BALE
? Geelong ? Race 6 ? Box 1 ? 460m ⏱ 3:42pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/680721726/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : PEAKY BLAZER (1) continues to rise to the occasion, and he is drawn to get all the breaks today. OSPREY ROSE (7) has been dominant in her past two at Warrnambool and should dictate terms from the outset. OLIVER BALE (1) is drawn to settle on the speed and although his last 30m is a concern, he should have enough in the tank to hold on for a top three finish.

Multi price: $4.18

? $2 Win – MEPUNGA GERTIE
? $2 Win – PIRATES PATCH
? Geelong ? Race 8 ? Boxes 3 & 6 ? 460m ⏱ 4:19pm
TAB fixed odds: $7.00 Win (Mepunga Gertie)
TAB fixed odds: $5.00 Win (Pirates Patch)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/680721726/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : NIFTY NANGAR (1) and OSPREY PHANTOM (4) are both highly talented types, however MEPUNGA GERTIE (3) and PIRATE’S PATCH (6) are both on-speed runners and I expect them to dictate terms in the initial stages and one of them should turn for home with a race-winning break.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?
Saturday 7 August: $0 (-100%)
Friday 6 August: $15.30 (+53%)
Thursday 5 August: $29.65 (+197%)
Wednesday 4 August: $8.65 (-14%)
Tuesday 3 August: $0 (-100%)
Monday 2 August: $5.40 (-46%)
Sunday 1 August: $13.28 (+33%)

Past 7 days: $72.28 for $70 invested (+3%)
Past 14 days: $100.94 for $140 invested (-28%)
Past 28 days: $269.33 for $280 invested (-4%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

July 2021: $309.18 for $300 (+3%)
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.

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