Wednesday night racing at Ballarat will be headlined by an intriguing four-way clash featuring Rocket Boy (26 from 52 – 4 of past 6), Langfield Bale (8 from 39), Jason Thompson’s impressive NSW import Overshadowed (11 from 24 – 6 of past 8) and triple country cups finalist Dream Wizard (22 from 57).

There could also be fireworks in a ‘distance duel’ between Andrea Dailly’s emerging pair Drako Bale, runner-up to Victoria’s number one stayer Hank The Hustler in the State Distance Championship last Thursday, and Gypsy Wyong (9 from 15 – 3 of past 4).

The intriguing match-ups don’t end there; with prolific pair Fortuna Bale (28 from 67 – 2 from 3 Trk/Dst) and Zambora Lou (23 from 53) to meet, while the battle between lightly-raced duo Soda Titan (4 from 9) and Smokin’ Grille (4 from 7) will also generate great interest.

Earlier in the day at The Meadows, the Greenough kennel takes a strong hand into the Vic Bred Maiden semi-finals courtesy of Slick Sister, a runaway 12L heat winner at her 2^nd start, and Perfectly Poised, a 9L heat winner.

Multiple G1 finalists Run Like Jess (21 from 64 – 3 of past 4 – 5 from 9 Box 1) and Tyler Durden (2 from 3 Trk/Dst – 2 from 3 Box 8) will match motors over 600m.

Also well worth watching is exciting comeback sprinter Isolating (6 from 11 – 5 of past 6) and the well-bred Big Fonzie (4 from 7 – 4 of past 5), a half-brother and kennelmate to G1 performers Fernando Cazz and Fernando Bluey.

At Geelong, recent G3 Warragul St Leger finalist Keep It Black (10 from 30) is looking to bring Aston Minerva’s (10 from 22 – won past 3) winning run to an end, while Slingshot Titan (30 from 57 – 4 from 6 Box 7) is striving to boost his imposing strike rate.

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: Bottle-O Mixed 4/5

ROCKET BOY ? LANGFIELD BALE ? OVERSHADOWED ? DREAM WIZARD

? Ballarat ? Race 6 ? 450m ⏱ 8:38pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538478/race/6

The Watchdog says ?: ROCKET BOY (1) has been racing in red hot form of late and he looks poised to figure prominently again tonight. He would have preferred a wider draw, however with limited early pace directly on his outside and a wide running MR. BENT LEE (4) in the middle, he should get enough room to balance up and that will allow him to be in the top two as they navigate the first bend. With the ability to break the magical 25 seconds barrier, he is going to prove hard to reel in. DREAM WIZARD (8) is the most accomplished chaser in the event and is likely to go up an early favourite, however I think he will be well under the odds. There is no doubting his class, but he is likely to be three and four wide as they head into the bend, and he will need a few things to go his way. TRENDING AIR (6) could be the value runner. She has always done her best racing here and can come out running at times. She owns a slick 25.12sec PB here and if she finds the top early, the more fancied runners will have to dig deep to reel her in. LANGFIELD BALE (2) is another leading chance in the event. He has been beaten in his past two, but prior to that he posted a slashing 23.80sec Bendigo win and he should be able to follow the ‘Rocket’ through in the initial stages. OVERSHADOWED (7) has been brilliant since moving to Victoria and he is going to have plenty of support, however from the wide draw he is likely to face an uphill battle.

Selections:  1 – 8 – 6 – 2

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Wednesday 18 August

? $2.50 Place – ZIPPY VOLKSWAGON
? The Meadows ? Race 4 ? Box 2 ? 525m ⏱ 12:30pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.95 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538476/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : He meets a good one in BOSTON GARDEN (1) but, with the red expected to lead, that should allow ‘Zippy’ to follow him through at the first bend and he will be very strong in the run home. There is not a lot of depth outside of the favourite, so our selection represents great value.

? $2.50 Multi

First ?: Win – ISOLATING
? The Meadows ? Race 10 ? Box 2 ? 525m ⏱ 2:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.70 Win

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538476/race/10

 Second ?: Place – WEBLEC THUNDER
? The Meadows ? Race 11 ? Box 6 ? 525m ⏱ 2:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538476/race/11

Third ?: Place – SO PREDICTABLE
? The Meadows ? Race 12 ? Box 5 ? 725m ⏱ 3:17pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.30 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538476/race/12

 Fourth ?: Place – TITAN BLAZER
? Ballarat ? Race 7 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 8:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538478/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : ISOLATING (2) has continued to impress, and he is expected to lead from go to whoa today. WEBLEC THUNDER (6) will appreciate the empty draws on either side, and he should be on the pace from the outset. SO PREDICTABLE (5) is suited by the smaller line-up and he has a fair bit on his rivals’ class wise, so a top two finish looks likely. TITAN BLAZER (8) is a serious prospect and is ideally drawn out wide. He should settle mid field, but he is a powerful type, and he likes to stay wide, so he should be able to charge into the money late.

Multi price: $4.49

?$3 Win – MEPUNGA GERTIE
? Geelong ? Race 6 ? Box 1 ? 460m ⏱ 8:23pm
TAB fixed odds: $2 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538533/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : She let us down on Friday night, however she drops in class tonight and I am willing to give her another chance. She is armed with slick early speed and, with a wide runner on her outside, she should be able to zip away as they head into the first turn and then prove far too classy in the run home.

? $2 Win – ROCKET BOY
? Ballarat ? Race 6 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 8:38pm          ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538478/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : He has scored some breathtaking wins in recent months and although he will want to move wide in the initial stages, there is not a lot of pace drawn directly on his outside. So, with some room to move, he should be in the top two as they head through the first bend. With the ability to go sub 25 seconds, he will take a power of beating.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?
Tuesday 17 August: $0 (-100%)
Monday 16 August: $29.38 (+194%)
Sunday 15 August: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 14 August: $0 (-100%)
Friday 13 August: $4.80 (-52%)
Thursday 12 August: $0 (-100%)
Wednesday 11 August: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $34.18 for $70 invested (-51%)

Past 14 days: $131.61 for $140 Invested (-6%)

Past 28 days: $229.51 for $280 Invested (-18%)

? 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.

*Please gamble responsibly