G3 Country Championship finalist Mepunga Mustang is aiming to boost his strike rate to 11 wins from 19 starts in a Mixed 4/5 525m race at The Meadows this afternoon, but G3 Brian Johnstone finalist Nike Apache will be a big threat.

At Ballarat tonight, the promising Kelsey Bale faces Kanji Giant, G2 Bendigo Cup finalist Perfect Colour and the in-form Boom Out in a Mixed 4/5 450m event.

Markus Rhode, Aston Tarrant and Slingshot Trojan – all last start winners – clash in a competitive Mixed 4/5 390m race.

Today’s Racing

The Meadows: 12:30pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Bendigo: 2:28pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Ballarat: 6:57pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

MEPUNGA MUSTANG

Trainer: Jeff Britton
? The Meadows ? Race 6
? Box 8 ? 525m ⏱ 2:00pm

Claim to fame:
– Group 3 Country Champ finalist
– Won 10 from 18

TAB fixed odds: $1.40

The Watchdog says: Yes

PERFECT COLOUR

Trainer: Jane Reynolds
? Ballarat ? Race 8
? Box 2 ? 450m ⏱ 9:18pm

Claim to fame:
– Group 2 Bendigo Cup finalist
– 68% top-three from 63 starts

TAB fixed odds: $4.20

The Watchdog says: No

KELSEY BALE

Trainer: Daniel Gibbons
? Ballarat ? Race 8
? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 9:18pm

Claim to fame:
– Won 3 from 6
– 29.38 PB Sandown Park 515m

TAB fixed odds: $1.90

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Wednesday 9 March

? $2 Trifecta – 8 / 2 / 4,5 (100%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Mixed Grade 4/5

? The Meadows ? Race 6
? 525m ⏱ 2:00pm

The Watchdog says ?: Group 3 Country Championship finalist MEPUNGA MUSTANG (8) is a legitimate star, and he will be carving out time in the lead. MEPUNGA MANTRA (2) is racing with confidence, and he will be very strong in the run home, so he can fill the quinella spot.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

The exciting MEPUNGA MUSTANG (8) comes back to The Meadows today and he is expected to destroy the clock. He has scored some breathtaking wins on the country circuit of late and he has proven in the past that he can cover 500m when scoring at Sandown Park in a scintillating 29.18sec in October last year. He has a tremendous record from wide draws and track specialist JAVI (7) should give him a nice cart across in the run to the first turn. NIKE APACHE (4) has been luckless in his two runs since a spell, and he will appreciate the smaller line-up today. He has broken 30 seconds here and when given room to move, he can show a blistering turn of foot.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540558/race/6

The Watchdog’s selections: 8 – 4 – 2 – 5

? $3 Multi

First ?: Place – MECHANICAL
? Ballarat ? Race 3 ? Box 5 ? 450m ⏱ 7:38pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540560/race/3

Second ?: Win – DOWN UNDER BOY
? Ballarat ? Race 4 ? Box 7 ? 450m ⏱ 7:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540560/race/4

Third ?: Win – MY MATE EDDIE
? Ballarat ? Race 7 ? Box 4 ? 450m ⏱ 8:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540560/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : MECHANICAL (5) is armed with a big finish and he will appreciate the smaller line-up tonight. DOWN UNDER BOY (7) has been dominant in his past two at Healesville and he should be able to light up his rivals in the middle stages. MY MATE EDDIE (4) should be able to assume control soon after box rise, and they will have a hard time reeling him in.

Multi price: $5.72

? $5 Win – SLINGSHOT TROJAN
? Ballarat ? Race 10 ? Box 5 ? 390m ⏱ 9:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.40 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540560/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : SLINGSHOT TROJAN (5) has been enormous in his past two and with a clean getaway, he should have enough pace to cross and lead throughout. It’s quite a strong line-up but I think this chaser is on the improve and is capable of going sub 21.90sec.

Today’s News

DOGS TO FOLLOW

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Tuesday 8 March: $13.20 (+32%)
Monday 7 March: $0 (-100%)
Sunday 6 March: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 5 March: $34.27 (+243%)
Friday 4 March: $10 (Even)
Thursday 3 March: $10.75 (+8%)
Wednesday 2 March: $17.20 (+72%)

Past 7 days: $85.42 for $70 invested (+22%)
Past 14 days: $165.34 for $140 invested (+18%)
Past 28 days: $321.28 for $280 invested (+15%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

February 2022: $288.97 for $280 (+3%)
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.

*Please gamble responsibly