The road to the G3 TAB Great Chase final at The Meadows on October 20 begins tonight at Bendigo with two 500m heats taking place.

The second heat featuring Hushing Dusk (2 from 3 Trk/Dst – 3 from 3 Box 1), Idolize (3 from 5) and In The Spotlight (5 from 7) promises to be a terrific contest and has been identified by The Watchdog as the ‘Must Watch’ race of the day.

Before that event occurs, Sambar Chief (5 from 12) v True Collinda (5 from 11) v Soda Titan (5 from 14) commence this year’s G3 TAB Great Chase series in the opening heat.

The Mixed 3/4 425m race is outstanding with Group winners Yozo Bale (2 from 2 Trk/Dst) and Music Event (second G1 Brisbane Cup) facing Group finalists Benchester (23.65sec PB) and Daniel Avocado.

Pink Diamond 425m winner Diamond Ability (3 from 5 Trk/Dst) v Perfectly Poised (3 of last 4) is a great duel, while 140-start veteran Run Baba Run v G2 Healesville Cup finalist Aston Geneve (6 from 7) v Green Blazer v Ultimate Avenger (2 of last 4) is a tough race to predict.

Derry Express (2 of last 3) v G3 finalist Hennessey (9 from 21) is another tantalising event, while The Watchdog is confident that Dr. Ryker will be victorious in the final race.

Tonight’s feature race at Horsham is the 410m Free For All highlighted by track record holder Oriental Amber (24 from 51 – 22.64sec PB) going against Helen’s Memory (2 of last 3), Banjo Bert and Braemar Prince (5 from 6 Trk/Dst).

Dash Home (6 of last 7) v Invictus Ethan (3 of last 5) and Rio Hato (4 from 7) v Sagacious (won last 4) should be tight battles, while Lektra Gal (won last 2), Bullying (3 from 5) and Tinted (3 from 4 Trk/Dst) are all expected to triumph.

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 Great Chase Heat 2

HUSHING DUSK ? IDOLIZE ? IN THE SPOTLIGHT

? Bendigo ? Race 7 ? 500m ⏱ 8:38pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539037/race/7

The Watchdog says ?: The TAB Great Chase series commences tonight and both heats are loaded with talent. However, I think this is the most intriguing of the two heats, with two speed demons in IDOLIZE (4) and IN THE SPOTLIGHT (7) taking on the powerful HUSHING DUSK (1). I originally questioned whether he would run out 500 metres, however I put the ‘Spotlight’ on top on the back of his gutsy 25.18sec Sale win last time out. The time was not flashy, but the manner in which he won at Sale suggested that he can handle the slight rise in distance, and he should be able to settle in the top two initially. IDOLIZE (4) has been ultra-impressive to date and she is armed with breathtaking early pace, however I think she might be a sitting duck for a few of the stronger types in the event as they turn for home. If the top elect cannot settle in second spot, then the powerful HUSHING DUSK (1) must come into calculations. His most recent racing has been over longer distances, however he comes into this having had five weeks off and he does boast a sizzling 28.10sec PB here, so he is expected to sprint well fresh. ERTUGRUL BEY (6) may be the value runner for your exotic bets. He is still learning what it is all about, but he has turned in some impressive performances to date and the rise in distance may suit, so he may be a good place investment. The series has launched a number of high-profile careers since its inception, and we will get to see some elite prospects contest this series over the coming weeks.

Selections:  7 – 1 – 4 – 6

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Saturday 2 October

? $4 Place  – SUDOKU COBRA
? Bendigo ? Race 5 ? Box 4 ? 500m ⏱ 7:59pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539037/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : He is far better than his form reads and with the lack of early speed drawn underneath, he should be able to cross and assume control at the bend. There are a couple of good ones engaged and they may reel him in, however he should have enough in the tank to hold on for a top three finish.

? $1 Trifecta – 1,7 / 1,7 / 2,4,5,6,8 (10%)
? Bendigo ? Race 7 ? 500m ⏱ 8:38pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539037/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : IDOLIZE (4) is expected to lead, however I do think she will struggle to run out the journey, so IN THE SPOTLIGHT (7) and HUSHING DUSK (1) should draw away in the closing stages and we have gone wide for third in the hope of securing some value.

? $4 Win – YOZO BALE
? Bendigo ? Race 8 ? Box 1 ? 425m ⏱ 9:00pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.15 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539037/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : He is a multiple country cup winner, and he is drawn to get all the breaks tonight. I am expecting him to pounce on the arm and with the middle division evenly matched early speed wise, they should be bumping early and that will allow the champ to zip away in the middle stages.

? $1 Win – AXEDALE PIRATE     ? Lucky Longshot ?
? Bendigo ? Race 10 ? Box 8 ? 425m ⏱ 9:48pm
TAB fixed odds: $15 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539037/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : He runs into a couple of jetliners, but he really impressed me last week and even if he goes down tonight, he is one to follow going forward. He really tested HENNESSEY (7) for around 350m last week and he appears to be getting stronger. With the runners directly on his inside expected to look for the rail, he may be able to cross as they bunch underneath, and he will give a great sight at odds.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Friday 1 October: $7.80 (-22%)
Thursday 30 September: $19.57 (+96%)
Wednesday 29 September: $11.60 (+16%)
Tuesday 28 September: $15.50 (+55%)
Monday 27 September: $3.73 (-63%)
Sunday 26 September: $4.10 (-59%)
Saturday 25 September: $22.10 (+121%)

Past 7 days: $84.40 for $70 invested (+21%)
Past 14 days: $129.61 for $140 invested (-7%)
Past 28 days: $203.77 for $280 invested (-27%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

September 2021: $220.69 for $300 (-26%)
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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