G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Lala Kiwi is the in-form chaser in tonight’s 515m Free For All at Sandown Park, but there are many challengers including dual G3 winner Barooga Smoke.

Two-time G1 finalist Junk Food Junkie, Tynslee Bale and G2 Warrnambool Cup finalist Got The Torque are also strong chances.

Blue Tiger v King Of Calypso v Russian Sub v G2 Laurels runner-up Gracie Bale v Hazey Roy is expected to be a great battle.

Brother Bearing is eyeing four straight wins, while G3 Provincial Plate finalist Dusty Lyn and Shima Glow clash.

Rocket Boy and G2 Healesville Cup placegetter Hill Top Jonah is a top duel at Warrnambool, while On The Bit and G2 Healesville Cup finalist Aston Merit are favoured to boost their respective strike rates.

Today’s Racing

Shepparton: 11:45am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Warragul: 3:24pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Warrnambool: 6:00pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sandown Park: 6:56pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

HILL TOP JONAH

Trainer: David Geall
? Warrnambool ? Race 9
? Box 5 ? 390m ⏱ 8:16pm

Claim to fame:
– 3rd Group 2 Healesville Cup
– Won 21 from 42

TAB fixed odds: $1.55

The Watchdog says: Yes

BAROOGA SMOKE

Trainer: Brooke Ennis
? Sandown Park ? Race 8
? Box 7 ? 515m ⏱ 9:34pm

Claim to fame:
– Dual Group 3 winner
– 29.16 PB Sandown Park 515m

TAB fixed odds: $3.60

The Watchdog says: No

LALA KIWI

Trainer: Andrea Dailly
? Sandown Park ? Race 8
? Box 8 ? 515m ⏱ 9:34pm

Claim to fame:
– 2nd Group 1 Melbourne Cup
– Won 4 from 7 Trk/Dst

TAB fixed odds: $2.20

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Thursday 23 December

? $3.50 Win – BELL BURNER
? Sandown Park ? Race 2 ? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 7:19pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540500/race/2

The Watchdog says ? : BELL BURNER (1) has turned in some terrific performances of late and he looks ideally drawn tonight. His box manners are solid, and he has a great turn of foot soon after box rise, so with a clean getaway, he should be able to push through at the bend and hold the early lead. He has gone sub 30 seconds at Cranbourne and with the ability to go around 29.40sec here, they will have a hard time reeling him in.

? $1 Trifecta – 8 / 7 / 2,3,4,5 (25%)
? $1 Trifecta – 8 / 2,3,4,5 / 7 (25%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Free For All

? Sandown Park ? Race 8
? 515m ⏱ 9:34pm

The Watchdog says ?: LALA KIWI (8) has been beginning well of late and she is racing with extreme confidence, so she should have no trouble crossing and leading throughout. BAROOGA SMOKE (7) is flying at present, and he can run home into second or third spot.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

Great line-up with two of the state’s fastest sprinters set to do battle. LALA KIWI (8) was a recent runner-up in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup final and although beaten in The Phoenix match race on Saturday night, she was far from disgraced. Of the two ‘big guns’, she has drawn more favourably and will take a power of beating tonight. BAROOGA SMOKE (7) is likely to get crowded soon after box rise, as ‘Kiwi’ does like to head to the rail, but he showed here four runs back that he can overcome difficulties to score at this level. There is nothing separating the two talent wise, however I think the pink runner may be able to zip away through the turn, and that could be the difference.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540500/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 8 – 7 – 2 – 5

? $3.50 Win – WIZARDRY MAGIC
? Sandown Park ? Race 12 ? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 11:00pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540500/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : Has raced well since moving back to Victoria and she is drawn to get all the breaks tonight. She turned in a strong performance at The Meadows last time and she is expected to settle a lot closer to the speed this evening, so with a clear passage, she should prove too strong in the run home.

? $1 Exacta – 1 / 2 (100%)
? Sandown Park ? Race 12 ? 515m ⏱ 11:00pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540500/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : I’m keen on WIZARDRY MAGIC (1) to win and I’m expecting her to just about lead all the way. If that occurs, STARLIGHT AMY (2) should get a nice run through at the bend and she will be strong in the closing stages, so the exacta looks a nice bet.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Wednesday 22 December: $10.60 (+6%)
Tuesday 21 December: $0 (-100%)
Monday 20 December: $0 (-100%)
Sunday 19 December: $24 (+140%)
Saturday 18 December: $10.85 (+9%)
Friday 17 December: $18 (+80%)
Thursday 16 December: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $63.45 for $70 invested (-9%)
Past 14 days: $193.53 for $140 invested (+38%)
Past 28 days: $285.04 for $280 invested (+2%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

November 2021: $300.47 for $300 (Even)
October 2021: $311.40 for $310 (Even)
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.

*Please gamble responsibly