Aston Rupee is arguably Australia’s No. 1 sprinter – a greyhound who has added ‘sparkle’ to the sport. He’s a bona fide ‘speed star’ if you’ll excuse the pun.

However, the dual G3 Speed Star winner, who has won 4 of his past 7, will need to display all of his polish at Sandown today.

Nikoli Bale (10 from 30 – 3 of past 4) v Aston Rupee (13 from 25 – 4 from 9 Trk/Dst) v Lakeview Walter (9 from 21 – 5 from 8 Trk/Dst) will be a fascinating face-off in Race 8, 5.12pm.

Aston Rupee (2^nd – G3 Launching Pad) boasts a dazzling 29.06sec PB here, which is only 2.5L off the 515m track record.

But 3-time G1 finalist Lakeview Walter (1^st – G1 Silver Chief) has clocked a flying 29.15sec – only 1.5L slower than Aston Rupee. And Nikoli Bale (The Prospector finalist) is a powerful type.

Another three matchups will pique punting interest on this program:

Fernando Frank (G2 McKenna Memorial finalist – 8 from 49) v Collinda Beast (11 from 24) v Bobby The Brute (3^rd – G1 Sale Cup – 14 from 49) in Race 4, 3.37pm.

Weblec Flame (4 from 11 – 3 of past 3) v Don’t Tell Bluey (3 from 6 – 3 of past 4) in Race 5, 4.01pm.

Usman Bale (8 from 24 – 3 from 3 Box 1) v Pink Diamond Champion Short Course winner Aussie Secret (28 from 53 – 9 of past 12) in Race 6, 4.24pm.

Meanwhile, at Warrnambool tonight, two speedsters stand out!

Aston Mireya (13 from 46 – 3 of past 6), who is 3 from 4 Box 7, in Race 7, 7.34pm and Boom Out (7 from 12 – 3 of past 5) in Race 11, 9.07pm.

And, at Warragul tonight, ‘firebrand’ Incendio (6 from 14 – 3 from five Box 2) is expected to light up the track in Race 12, 10.05pm.

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: TAB – Melb. Cup – November 26 FFA

NIKOLI BALE  ? ASTON RUPEE ? LAKEVIEW WALTER

? Sandown Park ? Race 8 ? 515m ⏱ 5:12pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538948/race/8

The Watchdog says ?: Sandown Park’s Thursday night FFA is always a highlight, and this week is no exception. ASTON RUPEE (3) is one of the best in the business and was enormous in his blistering 29.22sec win here last week. He’s going to need a few things to go his way in the first 50m, but if he can get through the first bend without too much bother, he should make a big impact again. LAKEVIEW WALTER (4) is already a Group 1 winner and has been luckless in his two runs since returning from a spell. Prior to going for a spell, he had done his best work here, having won five of eight this track/distance and boasting a scorching 29.15sec PB. After two runs since a spell, he should nearly be at peak fitness and may have enough pace to cross at the first bend. NIKOLI BALE (1) has gone to another level in recent weeks and must be respected from the good draw. Four runs back, he was simply enormous when winning here over 595m. On that occasion, he gave the electrifying ‘Do It’ a head start but was able to do what many can’t, and that was reel him in mid-race before going on to score in a slashing 34.21sec. He’s better suited back to the 515m journey and may represent some value for punters.

Selections:  3 – 4 – 1 – 2

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Thursday 9 September

? $2 Win – ENVY TO BURN   
? $1 Win – NIHARI BALE               ? Lucky Longshot ?
? Sandown Park ? Race 7 ? Boxes 2 & 4? 515m ⏱ 4:44pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 (Envy To Burn)
TAB fixed odds: $11 (Nihari Bale)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538948/race/7

The Watchdog says ? :We all know WEBLEC BLAZER (6) is easily the most gifted chaser in the event, but ENVY TO BURN (2) has been luckless lately in very strong company and is expected to make amends. There’s limited early pace drawn in the ‘red’, so if he can step on terms, he should be able to easily cross the ‘red’ and hold the top through the bend. He’s proven that he’s very hard to get past when on the arm. NIHARI BALE (4) is the value runner in the event. He’s far better than his form indicates and has won here previously in a slick 29.23sec. With the empty draw outside, he should get enough room to balance up and  could head to the back in a prominent spot and cause a minor upset.

? $1 Win – NIKOLI BALE
? $1 Win – LAKEVIEW WALTER
? Sandown Park ? Race 8 ? Boxes 1 & 4? 515m ⏱ 5:12pm ? Must Watch Race ?
TAB fixed odds: $5.50 (Nikoli Bale)
TAB fixed odds: $6.00 (Lakeview Walter)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538948/race/8

The Watchdog says ? :ASTON RUPEE (3) was enormous last week and is going to take a power of beating. But he can miss the kick on occasions and appears well under the odds. I’m hoping that either ‘Nikoli’ or ‘Walter’ can head to the back in the lead and one of them may be off and gone when they bunch behind. Both represent great value.

? $3 Multi

First ?: Bundle Bet – 4,5
? Sandown Park ? Race 9 ? Box 4 & 5 ? 595m ⏱ 5:31pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.59 (Any one of the two selections to win)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538948/race/9

Second ?: Win – OSPREY PHANTOM
? Sandown Park ? Race 10 ? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 5:49pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.80 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538948/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : MEPUNGA FELIX (5) looks very well graded and will appreciate stepping up to 595m again. He’s proven to be a little costly, so we’ve included the improving ELEORA BALE (4). OSPREY PHANTOM (1) hasn’t had a lot of luck recently but did kick off his career in style here with three dazzling wins. From the good draw, he should hold the top through the corner and that will allow him to regain some much-needed confidence.

Multi price: $2.86

? $2 Multi

First ?: Place – WHERE’S GOOSE
? Warrnambool ? Race 5 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 6:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.20 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538949/race/5

Second ?: Win – ASTON MIREYA
? Warrnambool ? Race 7 ? Box 7 ? 390m ⏱ 7:34pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.55 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538949/race/7

Third ?: Place – CRACKERJACK ZAVE
? Warrnambool ? Race 8 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 7:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538949/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : WHERE’S GOOSE (1) has the right draw and should hold a top two spot for most of the journey. ASTON MIREYA (7) has a fair bit on her rivals and should turn for home with a big break. CRACKERJACK ZAVE (1) is in career best form and should have a great battle with JAZZ OPERA (3).

Multi price: $4.77

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Wednesday 8 September: Nil return (-100%)
Tuesday 7 September: $7.58 return (-24%)
Monday 6 September: $11.98 return (+20%)
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%)

Past 7 days: $55.68 for $70 invested (-20%)

Past 14 days: $89.65 for $140 Invested (-36%)

Past 28 days: $210.57 for $280 Invested (-25%)

? 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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