G1 Australian Cup runner-up and G1 Harrison-Dawson finalist Fernando Bluey will take aim at a fourth straight victory when he headlines Monday night’s Shepparton meeting.

Trained by teenager Kayla Cottrell, Fernando Bluey (21 from 39 – 3 from 4 Box 3) has won 3 from 4 since resuming from a spell and will clash with Chop Scotch (15 from 33 – 3 from 5 Box 4) in ‘The Watchdog’s’ Must Watch race of the day.

Fantastic Raven (13 from 31 – 4 of past 5) also brings excellent recent form to Shepparton, having won 4 on end straight after relocating from WA before a last start 2^nd at Warragul.

Two sprinters returning to action will create interest in Mr. Mufasa (13 from 39 – 4 from 6 Box 1), which hasn’t started since January, and Beretta Boy (5 from 14 – 3 from 7 Trk/Dst).

Sandown Park is also racing on Monday, with the main attraction David Geall’s G1 Maturity Classic finalist Hill Top Jack (13 from 34), a litter brother to brilliant speedster Koblenz and Hill Top Jonah, fastest qualifier for the G2 Healesville Cup.

Hill Top Jack is stepping up to 595m against the stoutly-bred Yahoo Serious (4 from 15), a son of G1 Sandown Cup winner Bells Are Ringin.

Slick Sister (2 from 4), one of a number of exciting prospects in the astute Greenough kennel, is striving to continue the bright start to her career after impressing in winning heat and semi of a maiden series at The Meadows recently.

Gippsland trainer Kate Gorman heads to Sandown with two strong chances in Desert Flame (6 from 27 – 29.40sec PB) and Mirror Illusion (7 from 14 – won past 4).

At Warrnambool, Yellow And Black (3 of past 4 – 3 from 5 Trk/Dst) shapes as one on the key contenders in the Grass Roots Western Sprint series

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: Whiskey Riot @ Stud Mixed 4/5

FERNANDO BLUEY  ? CHOP SCOTCH

? Shepparton ? Race 8 ? 450m ⏱ 9:34pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538935/race/8

The Watchdog says ?: Group 1 Australian Cup runner up FERNANDO BLUEY (3) has won three of four since returning from a spell and has continued to get better with every run. Last time out, he scorched through the first marker at Warragul in a breathtaking 8.22sec before reaching the post in a blistering 22.31sec. He is now at peak fitness and I cannot wait to see him head back to town in the coming weeks. He meets a good field tonight, but there is a lack of pace directly underneath him, so if he can time the start, he should be able to assume control very quickly and with a clear passage, a sub 25 seconds run is likely. CHOP SCOTCH (4) has been racing in very strong company of late and with a record of 15 wins from 33 starts (45%), he appears to be the main danger. He is normally very dependable at box rise and should get a nice cart across from ‘Bluey’ in the initial stages. I do not think he can reel in the favourite, but he can make him work hard and sneak into the quinella spot. STUDLEY (7) is a serious prospect and he needs to be respected. He beat a very good line-up at Horsham last time in a slick 23.25sec and if he can step on terms, he can make a big impact. My only concern is the box draw, as he may have to work hard in the initial stages to get across. CRACKERJACK SUNI (1) and JODIE’S BOY (2) are the value runners for exotic bets, ‘Suni’ can hold a forward spot early and will scrape the paint, whilst ‘Jodie’s’ loves racing here and will charge to the line.

Selections:  3 – 4 – 1 – 7

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 6 September

? $1 Trifecta – 3,6 / 3,6 / 1,8 (25%)
? Sandown ? Race 3 ? 515m ⏱ 3:37pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/3

The Watchdog says ? : WESTERN BLAZER (3) and SLICK SISTER (6) are two serious prospects and they are expected to draw away from their rivals mid race. WEBLEC GEM (1) and BELLA MIA ROCKS (8) should battle it out for third spot.

? $1 Win – JYE’S JET         ? Lucky Longshot ?
? Sandown Park ? Race 4 ? Box 5? 515m ⏱ 3:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $7
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : He can be a little hard to follow but he possesses a great turn of foot and will appreciate the smaller line-up today. There is not a lot of early pace in this event, so if given room early, he should be able to muster pace quickly and navigate the bend in the top two and with a solid 29.87sec PB here, he will prove hard to hold out.

? $2 Win – DR. LYNCH
? Cranbourne ? Race 6 ? Box 7 ? 311m ⏱ 4:09pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538936/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : He has been racing with minimal luck of late and he should appreciate the big drop in class today. His box manners are solid, but his biggest asset is his acceleration once leaving the mat. He will need an ounce of luck, but this really does look to be his race today.

? $1 Quaddie – 6.25% (16 combinations)
? Sandown Park ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 4:19pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/5
?: 2,7
? ?:    6,8
? ? ?: 2,8
? ? ? ?: 1,5

The Watchdog says ?: Slim quaddie today with PARZIVAL (2) and MY DEWANA PENNY (7) holding the class edge in the first leg. ZING ON (8) looks the goods in the second leg, but we have included the hard to follow but talented CORNISH PIXIE (6) for some value. UFORO BALE (2) and ASTON JUPITER (8) should be on the pace throughout in the third leg and one of them can get the cash. Very keen on ROCKSTAR RUBY (1) in the last leg but we have anchored her in a trifecta as well, so we have included BLAZER GLORY (5) as a bit of a saver.

? $1 Trifecta – 1 / 5,8 / 4,5,8 (25%)
? Sandown ? Race 8 ? 515m ⏱ 5:25pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : Been looking forward to ROCKSTAR RUBY (1) stepping up to this distance range and if she lands in the lead, she will be carving out serious time. BLAZER GLORY (5) and BESSIE’S DAISY (8) are both strong types and can run into the quinella spot, whilst JUST WINS BOSS (4) can sneak into third at some value.

? $3 Multi

First ?: Place – PLAN AHEAD
? Sandown Park ? Race 10 ? Box 4 ? 515m ⏱ 5:59pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/10

Second ?: Place – YAHOO SERIOUS
Sandown Park ? Race 11 ? Box 2 ? 595m ⏱ 6:19pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539026/race/11

The Watchdog says ? : PLAN AHEAD (4) will appreciate the smaller line-up and will really power to the line, so with a little luck mid race, a top two finish looks likely. YAHOO SERIOUS (2) has turned in some big performances of late and will appreciate the step up to 595m today. The smaller line-up will also help and he should be able to settle in second spot as they go past the post the first time.
Multi price: $2.10

? $1 Trifecta – 3 / 4 / 1,2,7,8 (25%)
? Shepparton ? Race 8 ? 450m ⏱ 9:34pm          ? Must Watch Race ?
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538935/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : FERNANDO BLUEY (3) is airborne at present and he is going to take a power of beating. CHOP SCOTCH (4) has a terrific turn of foot and should follow the favourite across in the initial stages. We have taken four runners for third in the hope we can get some value.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Sunday 5 September: $9.60 return (-4%)
Saturday 4 September: $10.17 (+2%)
Friday 3 September: $10.15 (+2%)
Thursday 2 September: $6.20 (-38%
Wednesday 1 September: $8.37 (-16%)
Tuesday 31 August: $2.40 (-76%)
Monday 30 August: $6 (-40%)

Past 7 days: $52.89 for $70 invested (-24%)
Past 14 days: $100.45 for $140 Invested (-28%)
Past 28 days: $214.41 for $280 Invested (-23%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

August 2021: $262.63 for $310 (-15%)
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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