G2 Laurels finalist Devine Empress has enjoyed a strong start to her young career with five wins and one second from eight races and she is the headline act in a Grade 5 450m race at Shepparton this evening.

Jungle Panther has finished top-three in 10 of his 15 starts (four wins) and he is considered the biggest danger to Devine Empress.

The 385m Free For All is highlighted by a terrific clash between prolific winner and dual G2 Shepparton Cup finalist Benchester and consistent chaser Gunai Rebel.

Sinful Angel, G3 finalist Smart As Jack and the in-form No Tax contest a Grade 5 385m event.

Axedale Pirate, Rack City, Matt’s Hope, Rush Out and Nangar Troy should produce a great battle in a 450m Grade 5 final.

Today’s Racing

Warrnambool: 11:22am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Traralgon: 2:04pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Ballarat: 3:14pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Shepparton: 6:59pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

BENCHESTER

Trainer: Mark Morrissey
? Shepparton ? Race 7
? Box 2 ? 385m ⏱ 9:21pm

Claim to fame:
– Two-time Group 2 finalist
– Won 6 from 11 Box 2

TAB fixed odds: $1.75

The Watchdog says: Yes

DEVINE EMPRESS

Trainer: Kayla Cottrell
? Shepparton ? Race 8
? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 9:44pm

Claim to fame:
– Group 2 Laurels finalist
– Won 5 from 8

TAB fixed odds: $1.25

The Watchdog says: Yes

SMART AS JACK

Trainer: Adele Powell
? Shepparton ? Race 9
? Box 3 ? 385m ⏱ 10:09pm

Claim to fame:
– G3 Nthern Districts Cup finalist
– 63% top-three from 62 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2.50

The Watchdog says: No

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 7 February

? $4 Place – CHILL OUT BERTY
? Shepparton ? Race 2 ? Box 1 ? 385m ⏱ 7:22pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.20 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542446/race/2

The Watchdog says ? : CHILL OUT BERTY (1) was desperately unlucky when placed here last Monday night and he is drawn to figure prominently this evening. There are a couple of well-bred types in the event, however I think he has the raced brigade covered, so he appears to be great value.

? $4 Multi

First ?: Place – AXEDALE PIRATE
? Shepparton ? Race 6 ? Box 3 ? 450m ⏱ 8:54pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.80 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542446/race/6

Second ?: Place – SINFUL ANGEL
? Shepparton ? Race 9 ? Box 2 ? 385m ⏱ 10:09pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542446/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : AXEDALE PIRATE (3) was far from disgraced when placed in his heat last Monday night and he should have no trouble crossing the inside two runners early. If he finds the top early, he will hit the scoreboard. SINFUL ANGEL (2) is a lid pinger and she is racing with great confidence at present. SMART AS JACK (3) will prove hard to hold out, but she should have enough in the tank to finish in the top two.

Multi price: $2.61

? $2 Trifecta – 1 / 8 / 2,6,7 (66.66%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Grade 5

? Shepparton ? Race 8
? 450m ⏱ 9:44pm

The Watchdog says ?: Group 2 Laurels finalist DEVINE EMPRESS (1) should be able to hold the top early and she will prove hard to reel in. JUNGLE PANTHER (8) can run into second spot, while ISHMY RUBY (2), JODIE’S BOY (6) and RUN HOME JACK (7) will battle it out for third spot.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

We see two of the state’s brightest prospects in DEVINE EMPRESS (1) and JUNGLE PANTHER (8) go toe-to-toe. DEVINE EMPRESS has only had eight starts, but she has scored some electrifying wins to date and with a clear run early, she should shatter the 25-second barrier. JUNGLE PANTHER has come up with the outside draw and he is expected to test DEVINE EMPRESS from the outset. He has proven to be a little hit-or-miss early, but he likes to scout wide, and he has a scorching 25.46sec Geelong win to his credit. The top two have a fair bit on the rest of the field. JODIE’S BOY (6) is never too far away here, while RUN HOME JACK (7) is an improving type.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542446/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 1 – 8 – 7 – 6

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Sunday 6 February: $9.21 (-8%)
Saturday 5 February: $0 (-100%)
Friday 4 February: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 3 February: $7.50 (-25%)
Wednesday 2 February: $14.08 (+41%)
Tuesday 1 February: $14.40 (+44%)
Monday 31 January: $26.42 (+164%)

Past 7 days: $71.61 for $70 invested (+2%)
Past 14 days: $163.21 for $140 invested (+17%)
Past 28 days: $276.02 for $280 invested (-1%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

January 2022: $302.53 for $310 (-2%)
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.

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