The countdown to the world’s greatest greyhound race continues this evening with the second round of TAB Melbourne Cup preludes (515m) taking place at Sandown Park.

The sixth prelude of the series is highlighted by the duel between G1 Brisbane Cup runner-up Music Event (2 of last 3 – 29.25sec PB) v Rebellious (14 from 20 – 29.11sec PB), although G1 placegetter Shima Classic (3 of last 6) must be respected.

Group finalists Keep It Black, Riccarton Rick (won last 4 – 29.27sec PB) and G1 placegetter Carry On Angel (2 from 4 Box 5 – 29.21sec PB) clash with Caroline (5 from 11 – 2 from 2 Trk/Dst) and Xavien Bale (2 from 3 Box 8 – 29.22sec PB) in the fourth prelude.

Despite the scratching of G3 winner Aston Fastnet, the fifth prelude still has plenty of class in G3 runner-up Enter The Son (3 from 3 Box 1), King Of Calypso (4 from 7 Box 3 – 29.28sec PB) and G1 Sandown Cup champion Zipping Rambo (19 from 41 – 3 from 5 Box 8).

Dual G3 Speed Star winner Aston Rupee (15 from 28 – 28.79sec PB) runs for the first time since the G1 Adelaide Cup final and faces G1 finalists Jepara and Handsome Rhino (3 of last 5 – 2 from 3 Trk/Dst), plus Don’t Tell Bluey (5 from 8 Trk/Dst), in the seventh prelude.

Fantastic Raven v Pink Diamond (500m) winner Sweet Petit v G2 placegetter Jarick Bale v G1 finalist Envy To Burn should produce a terrific battle in the Mixed 4/5 515m race.

Merlot v G3 runner-up Plan Ahead v Amnesty (4 from 8) v Omega Tyson (3 of last 4) and dual Group finalist Fernando Frank (4 of last 6) v Lunar Star v Venus Light (3 of last 5) v Sandra’s Sticker will be hotly-contested events.

Merry Lass (2 of last 3) and Angus Rhode (4 of last 6) highlight the Warrnambool 390m Free For All, while Spring Driven v G2 finalist Daniel Avocado features high-quality chasers.

In today’s Tier 3 meetings, On Pursuit and Double Up should both prevail at Shepparton, while Run Robyn Run is the standout greyhound at Warragul.

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 Melbourne Cup Prelude 6

MUSIC EVENT ? SHIMA CLASSIC ? REBELLIOUS

? Sandown Park ? Race 7 ? 515m ⏱ 9:13pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/7

The Watchdog says ?: Great line-up with the two ‘big guns’ having both drawn perfectly and it should be on the from the outset. MUSIC EVENT (1) has a great record here and he has won two of his three starts since resuming from a spell at Bendigo in blistering fashion. He is a little hit or miss early but SHIMA CLASSIC (2) will give him some cover at the first bend, so if he does everything right at box rise, he will play a major role. REBELLIOUS (7) was enormous here last Thursday and he is my tip for the event. After his two runs here in August, there was a slight question mark about him handling two turns, however he put that to rest with a blinding 29.11sec win here last time out. After beginning well, he was able to hit the first marker in a sizzling 5.02sec and with explosive beginner IDOLIZE (6) drawn underneath and expected to head to the inside tonight, he should get a dream run across and a similar early section will see him off and gone through the bend. Last Thursday’s run was the first time he had been over 500m since late August, so he should be improved by the run and if the track is in good condition, he could press the 29-second barrier tonight. The two main fancies will be using tonight’s assignment as an audition for the upcoming Shootout and fingers crossed, they both gain a clear passage and can display their best.

Selections:  7 – 1 – 5 – 4

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Thursday 28 October

? $4 Win – REBELLIOUS
? Sandown Park ? Race 7 ? Box 7 ? 515m ⏱ 9:13pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : He was enormous in his 29.11sec win here last Thursday and he looks very well placed tonight. With IDOLIZE (6) expected to spear the lids and move to the rail, REBELLIOUS (7) should get a nice cart across into the bend and with a clear passage I think he can press the 29-second barrier. MUSIC EVENT (1) is a beast, but I think he will be giving the Jason Thompson-trained star too much of a head start.

? $2 Multi

First ?: Place – JEPARA
? Sandown Park ? Race 8 ? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 9:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/8

Second ?: Place – HE SHALL RODGER
? Sandown Park ? Race 10 ? Box 7 ? 515m ⏱ 10:19pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.20 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/10

Third ?: Place – BELLE ALI
? Sandown Park ? Race 12 ? Box 3 ? 515m ⏱ 10:55pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : JEPARA (1) is as consistent as they come and with HANDSOME RHINO (2) expected to push wide in the bend, he should get plenty of cover and with a clear run, a top three finish is on the cards. HE SHALL RODGER (7) relies on a lot of luck in his races, but he finds himself in an event which features an abundance of early speed. With the leaders expected to bunch up, he should be able to pick off a few of the runners late and a top three finish looks likely at odds. BELLE ALI (3) loves racing here and with the inside two runners expected to hold the top at the bend, she should get a nice run through, and she will be strong in the run to the line.

Multi price: $7.92

? $4 Win – JARICK BALE
? Sandown Park ? Race 9 ? Box 3 ? 515m ⏱ 9:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539114/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : JARICK BALE (3) was desperately unlucky at The Meadows, and he is expected to make amends tonight. FANTASTIC RAVEN (1) and SWEET PETIT (2) both possess good early burn and if they can hold the top at the bend, he should be able to follow them through at the bend and then light them up in the middle stages.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Wednesday 27 October: $26.49 (+165%)
Tuesday 26 October: $0 (-100%)
Monday 25 October: $18.03 (+80%)
Sunday 24 October: $16.70 (+67%)
Saturday 23 October: $21.20 (+112%)
Friday 22 October: $25.24 (+152%)
Thursday 21 October: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $107.66 for $70 invested (+54%)
Past 14 days: $152.81 for $140 invested (+9%)
Past 28 days: $300.76 for $280 invested (+7%)

? 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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