Despite Typhoon Sammy (16 from 23 – 23.28sec PB) breaking the Bendigo 425m track record in his heat last Saturday night, The Watchdog has selected Ferdinand Boy (30 from 52 – 6 from 11 Box 5) to claim tonight’s $50,000 to-the-winner G2 Bendigo Cup final (425m).

Ferdinand Boy is aiming to secure his fourth G2 country cup this year after capturing the Shepparton Cup in March, Ballarat Cup in April and Healesville Cup last month.

Typhoon Sammy had won four straight races before unleashing his track-record run last Saturday night from Box 1, but The Watchdog is concerned by Box 7 this evening.

Warragul 400m track record holder Paua Of Buddy (7 from 10 – 23.59sec PB) and last year’s G3 Great Chase winner Dr. Tucker (17 from 29 – 23.38sec PB) must be respected as well.

Another highlight on the Bendigo card is the $10,000 to-the-winner Shima Shine Match Race (425m) between Geelong Derby finalist Kinson Bale (5 of last 8) and G1 Brisbane Cup runner-up Music Event (3 from 6 Trk/Dst – 23.36sec PB).

G3 placegetters Mepunga Warrior (4 from 8 Box 1) and Overflow Lisa (3 of last 4), plus Graclyn Bale (4 from 7 Box 6), are the leading contenders in the $10,000 to-the-winner Bendigo Spring Cup final (660m), while Dinkydi Asset, Lembor (3 from 5 Box 2) and Currawong headline the $5,000 to-the-winner Battlers Cup final (425m).

Dual G2 finalist Mr. America (10 from 22) and Kaheem Bale (8 from 16) are both expected to dominate, while Master Avenger v Bareki (15 from 22 – 27.83sec PB) and G2 placegetter Hill Top Jonah (14 from 31) v G3 finalist Black Avenger should be terrific clashes.

At Horsham, the 410m Free For all features Group finalists Benchester (7 from 11 Box 1 – 22.66sec PB) and track record holder Oriental Amber (24 from 53 – 22.64sec PB), while The Horizon finalist Whistling Bullet should prevail according to The Watchdog.

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: Group 2 Chasers Bendigo Cup Final

PAUA OF BUDDY ? DR. TUCKER ? FERDINAND BOY ? TYPHOON SAMMY

? Bendigo ? Race 7 ? 425m ⏱ 8:38pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716100344/race/7

The Watchdog says ?: Stellar line-up to do battle in the Bendigo Cup final and on the back of a track record run last Saturday night, TYPHOON SAMMY (7) will be going around as the favourite. Since joining the Thompson camp he is five-of-five and he appears to have gone from strength to strength. He is clearly a great chance of winning tonight, however, the box draw is a serious concern. He exited the red when carving out an eye-popping 23.28sec last week but tonight he has at least four runners underneath who can carve out similar early sectionals. If he does not spear the lids, he may be posted wide through the bend. PAUA OF BUDDY (1) recently captured the 400m track record at Warragul and he followed that up with a tremendous 23.59sec heat win last Saturday night. Obviously, the time was four lengths off the favourite, however, he did miss the kick and he had to work hard when trying to get around the leader in his heat. With a better getaway from the red, he has the potential to get down to around the 23.30sec mark and make a big impact. Country cups king FERDINAND BOY (5) is my selection. He already has three cups on his CV, and he just seems to do everything right in his races. There is early speed drawn underneath and with a slow beginner on his outside, he should get a nice run into the first bend. He can exit the turn in front and with the ability to run around the 23.40sec mark, they will have their work cut out trying to reel him in. DR. TUCKER (4) is the interesting runner. Since returning from injury, he has been enormous in his three runs, and he should now be at peak fitness. There is a slight concern with the wide-running SHIMA CLASSIC (3) drawn directly on his inside, but he did carve out a scorching 6.46sec and 23.38sec when winning his heat and if he reproduces that type of performance, he will definitely hit the scoreboard. It is going to be an amazing race and I cannot wait to see it unfold.

Selections:  5 – 4 – 1 – 8

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Saturday 16 October

? $2 Multi

First ?: Win – CHIC
? Shepparton ? Race 3 ? Box 3 ? 385m ⏱ 9:57am
TAB fixed odds: $1.75 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539079/race/3

Second ?: Win – GYPSY PLAY
? Shepparton ? Race 4 ? Box 1 ? 385m ⏱ 10:12am
TAB fixed odds: $2 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539079/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : CHIC (3) is a promising speedster, and she has proven to be a very reliable beginner. She should have no trouble crossing early on and she will be carving out time. GYPSY PLAY (1) has come up with the good draw and after some handy performances of late, she gets her chance to return to the winners list. Her box manners are solid, and she possesses a great turn of foot, so from the red, she can make every post a winner.

Multi price: $3.50

? $3 Win – KRAKEN SUE
? Shepparton ? Race 6 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 10:45am
TAB fixed odds: $3 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539079/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : She was desperately unlucky when resuming at Bendigo last time and from the good draw today, I am expecting her to make amends. She is extremely versatile in that she can lead or come from off the pace in her races and she is capable of really testing the clock. She has a fair bit on her rivals talent wise and really looks the goods today.

? $3 Win – ST. MARYS PANDA
? Shepparton ? Race 7 ? Box 8 ? 385m ⏱ 11:03am
TAB fixed odds: $3.40 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539079/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : She is perfectly drawn out wide and she has won here previously in a sizzling 21.75sec. She has been racing well in much stronger company of late and with an even getaway, she should be able to assume control at the bend and then zip away as they corner for home.

? $1 Win – DR. TUCKER
? $1 Win – FERDINAND BOY     ? Lucky Longshot ?
? Bendigo ? Race 7 ? Boxes 4 & 5 ? 425m ⏱ 8:38pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
TAB fixed odds: $4.20 Win (Dr. Tucker)
TAB fixed odds: $7.50 Win (Ferdinand Boy)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716100344/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : It really is a great race, and any one of the eight runners could win, however I think the reliable early speed in the middle could be the difference. Both ‘Tucker’ and ‘Ferdinand’ have terrific early speed and they should exit the bend in the top two and they may be off and gone as they turn for home.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Friday 15 October: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 14 October: $0 (-100%)
Wednesday 13 October: $11.20 (+12%)
Tuesday 12 October: $12.40 (+24%)
Monday 11 October: $19.20 (+92%)
Sunday 10 October: $10.75 (+8%)
Saturday 9 October: $15.53 (+55%)

Past 7 days: $69.08 for $70 invested (-1%)
Past 14 days: $120.58 for $140 invested (-14%)
Past 28 days: $250.19 for $280 invested (-11%)

? 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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