G1 Topgun winner Aston Rupee is back at The Meadows for the first time since the $1.145 million TAB Phoenix in tonight’s 525m Free For All.

G1 Maturity Classic finalist Handsome Rhino and Indy Matilda – runner-up to G1 Paws of Thunder winner Jungle Deuce in their heat two weeks ago – are the biggest dangers to Aston Rupee.

Dual G1 finalist Drako Bale headlines a Mixed 4/5 600m race, while My Boy Rockin’ v two-time G3 finalist Keep It Black v the in-form Barista Chick, Zivon Bale v G2 Ballarat Cup runner-up Special Talent and Gypsy Yankee v G1 National Derby finalist Zara’s Ivan are all great tussles.

G1 Maturity Classic runner-up Fernando Mick, G3 Great Chase winner Ridge and the promising Big Opal Rocks clash at Traralgon this evening.

Today’s Racing

Ballarat: 9:32am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Traralgon: 5:47pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

The Meadows: 6:36pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

FERNANDO MICK

Trainer: David Geall
? Traralgon ? Race 8
? Box 4 ? 500m ⏱ 8:11pm

Claim to fame:
– 2nd Group 1 Maturity Classic
– 69% top-three from 55 starts

TAB fixed odds: $3

The Watchdog says: Yes

DRAKO BALE

Trainer: Andrea Dailly
? The Meadows ? Race 7
? Box 3 ? 600m ⏱ 8:36pm

Claim to fame:
– Two-time Group 1 finalist
– 66% top-three from 47 starts

TAB fixed odds: $3.30

The Watchdog says: No

ASTON RUPEE

Trainer: Glenn Rounds
? The Meadows ? Race 8
? Box 4 ? 525m ⏱ 8:58pm

Claim to fame:
– 1st Group 1 Topgun
– Won 20 from 36

TAB fixed odds: $1.30

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Saturday 29 January

? $5 Win – MANILA DUSK
? The Meadows ? Race 2 ? Box 1 ? 525m ⏱ 6:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540017/race/2

The Watchdog says ? : MANILA DUSK (1) has been racing with tremendous confidence of late and he is drawn to make every post a winner. He should get plenty of cover in the initial stages and a few of the dangers are drawn to find bother at the first bend.

? $4 Win – LITTLE TIGER
? The Meadows ? Race 3 ? Box 4 ? 525m ⏱ 7:12pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.80 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540017/race/3

The Watchdog says ? : LITTLE TIGER (4) scorched around Geelong recently and with the lack of early pace inside, he should have no trouble crossing at the first bend. He has the ability to go well under the 30-second barrier, so if he does find the top, they will have a hard time reeling him in.

? $1 Trifecta – 4 / 6 / 1,2,3,5 (25%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Free For All

? The Meadows ? Race 8
? 525m ⏱ 8:58pm

The Watchdog says ?: HANDSOME RHINO (6) is expected to lead; however, the champion ASTON RUPEE (4) should run over the top late. We have included a few runners for third in the hope of securing some value.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

Megastar ASTON RUPEE (4) returns after an unlucky performance at Wentworth Park, and he will use this as a nice warm-up for the upcoming Group 1s here. He has won four-of-eight here and he owns a breathtaking 29.47sec, so with an ounce of luck early, he should get the job done. HANDSOME RHINO (6) loves racing here, and he looks the likely leader. He showed good speed when placed here last Saturday night and that was his first run for a month. DAPH’S ASCEND (5) has a tremendous record here, while SPRING DRIVEN (1) has the speed to punch through to the lead and she could give a great sight.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540017/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 4 – 6 – 5 – 1

Today’s News

DOGS TO FOLLOW

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Friday 28 January: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 27 January: $53 (+430%)
Wednesday 26 January: $16.60 (+66%)
Tuesday 25 January: $4.80 (-52%)
Monday 24 January: $6 (-40%)
Sunday 23 January: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 22 January: $9 (-10%)

Past 7 days: $89.40 for $70 invested (+28%)
Past 14 days: $159.69 for $140 invested (+14%)
Past 28 days: $264.91 for $280 invested (-5%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

December 2021: $384.82 for $300 (+28%)
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