Promising talents Mobile Legend and Jungle Panther, plus G1 Hume Cup finalist Mirror Illusion and Painkiller, should provide a thrilling battle at Sandown Park this afternoon.

The versatile Nikephoros stands out in a Grade 5 715m race, while the exciting Just Like Mick v G3 runner-up Plan Ahead and G3 Speed Star 515m finalist Highly Explosive v Invictus Jaxson should be great clashes.

Braemar Prince v Trickity Click v Body Hack and Aston Latham v Boom Out v Hello George v Duncan will be hotly-contested heats of the Backyard Blitz at Healesville.

Today’s Racing

Healesville: 11:02am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sandown Park: 2:14pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sale: 5:54pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

PLAN AHEAD

Trainer: Angela Langton
? Sandown Park ? Race 7
? Box 4 ? 515m ⏱ 4:07pm

Claim to fame:
– 29.19 PB Sandown Park 515m
– 63% top-three from 54 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2

The Watchdog says: No

JUNGLE PANTHER

Trainer: Jeff Geall
? Sandown Park ? Race 10
? Box 2 ? 515m ⏱ 5:12pm

Claim to fame:
– 80% top-three from 10 starts
– 29.64 PB Sandown Park 515m

TAB fixed odds: $2.50

The Watchdog says: No

HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE

Trainer: Craig Treherne
? Sandown Park ? Race 11
? Box 1 ? 595m ⏱ 5:37pm

Claim to fame:
– G3 Speed Star 515m finalist
– 62% top-three from 29 starts

TAB fixed odds: $1.70

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Sunday 9 January

? $6 Win – JUST LIKE MICK
? Sandown Park ? Race 7 ? Box 2 ? 515m ⏱ 4:07pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539949/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : He showed a devastating turn of foot early when scoring at The Meadows last time in 30.00sec and from the good draw today, he is expected to fire again. His main rival PLAN AHEAD (4) is a powerful type, and he is racing with confidence, however he is likely to be giving ‘Mick’ a big head start and he will have to go sub 29.40sec from off the speed. If ‘Mick’ does everything right at box rise, he should be leading throughout.

? $4 Place – PAINKILLER

? Must Watch Race ?

Grade 5 Heat

? Sandown Park ? Race 10
? Box 8 ? 515m ⏱ 5:12pm

TAB fixed odds: $2 Place (Top two finish required)

The Watchdog says ?: PAINKILLER (8) has been racing well in quality company of late and he is suitably drawn out wide. MIRROR ILLUSION (7) can show good early burn and she will head to the rail in the initial stages, so that should allow PAINKILLER to get a nice cart across and settle in a threatening position and he is very strong in the run home.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

All four heats have plenty of depth, but this is clearly the strongest. Being a brother to superstar KOBLENZ, JUNGLE PANTHER (2) obviously had high expectations when kicking off his career and he appears to have really hit his straps. After obliterating the clock at Geelong in a scorching 25.46sec, he went to Horsham and carved out a ridiculous 27.04sec. His box manners are still a little risky, however with a clean getaway, he can run a big race. MOBILE LEGEND (5) is still working it all out, however he has a monster engine and he turned in a gutsy performance when placed here last time. PAINKILLER (8) is the interesting runner. He has turned in some great performances in strong company of late and he appears suitably drawn out wide, so with some luck at the first bend, he can cause a minor boilover.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539949/race/10

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

Today’s News

TRACK GOERS REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AT ALL TIMES

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

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? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

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