The Western Festival of Racing continues tonight with fastest heat winner Kysaiah looking to claim his first Group-race success in the $50,000 to-the-winner G2 Geelong Gold Cup Final.

Dual G2 country cup champion Yozo Bale, along with G3 Country Championship runner-up Aston Merit and recent G2 Shepparton Cup winner Substantial, are also big chances.

G1 Australian Cup finalists Titan Blazer and Orlando clash in the $10,000 winner-take-all Gary Brett Memorial Match Race, while multiple G1 champions Gypsy Wyong and Jarick Bale headline the $6,300 to-the-winner Cup Night Distance.

G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter Kinson Bale v Warrnambool Derby winner Mepunga Mustang v Listed Australian Sprint winner Nikoli Bale should be a terrific 460m Free For All.

Today’s Racing

Healesville: 11:10am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Ballarat: 2:57pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Geelong: 7:07pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Traralgon: 7:12pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

TITAN BLAZER

Trainer: Daniel Gibbons
? Geelong ? Race 4
? Box 1 ? 520m ⏱ 8:08pm

Claim to fame:
– 3rd Group 1 Silver Chief
– Won 15 from 34

TAB fixed odds: $1.30

The Watchdog says: Yes

GYPSY WYONG

Trainer: Andrea Dailly
? Geelong ? Race 6
? Box 2 ? 680m ⏱ 8:53pm

Claim to fame:
– Four-time Group 1 winner
– Won 8 from 10 Box 2

TAB fixed odds: $3.10

The Watchdog says: Yes

YOZO BALE

Trainer: Correy Grenfell
? Geelong ? Race 8
? Box 3 ? 520m ⏱ 9:27pm

Claim to fame:
– Dual Group 2 winner
– 63% top-two from 92 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2.90

The Watchdog says: No

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Friday 22 April

? $2.50 Win – ASTON GALAXY
? Geelong ? Race 3 ? Box 6 ? 460m ⏱ 7:53pm
TAB fixed odds: $5.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/763380222/race/3

The Watchdog says ? : ASTON GALAXY (6) has always shown plenty of promise up the straight, however his latest two runs around Bendigo have given me confidence that he can replicate his straight track form around a bend. He has two vacant draws underneath tonight, so with a clean getaway, he should be able to work across into a prominent spot and he may prove too strong late.

? $4 Multi

First ?: Win – TITAN BLAZER
? Geelong ? Race 4 ? Box 1 ? 520m ⏱ 8:08pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/763380222/race/4

Second ?: Place – BUSY TIME
? Traralgon ? Race 8 ? Box 2 ? 500m ⏱ 9:35pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.60 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542993/race/8

Third ?: Place – TAIL’S UP
? Traralgon ? Race 9 ? Box 8 ? 395m ⏱ 10:01pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.80 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542993/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : TITAN BLAZER (1) should have too much zip for ORLANDO (3) in the match race. BUSY TIME (2) will get a nice run through behind the red early and he is quite strong in the run home, so a top-three finish looks likely. TAIL’S UP (8) is ideally drawn out wide and he is armed with slick early speed, so he should be in the top two from the outset.

Multi price: $3.74

? $3.50 Place – EMANI BALE

? Must Watch Race ?

Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup Final

? Geelong ? Race 8
? Box 7 ? 520m ⏱ 9:27pm

TAB fixed odds: $4.20 Place

The Watchdog says ?: Cracking Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup Final and there are a number of chances. However, with the abundance of early speed drawn in the middle, I think the race may be run to suit for EMANI BALE (7). She is armed with a big finish and I’m expecting there to be some bunching up front. If she can avoid early bother, she should be able to run into the money.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

Another thrilling country cup final ahead and it’s great to see a number of chasers making their first feature final. KYSAIAH (5) was the fastest heat winner in a dazzling 29.75sec and he is clearly the real deal, however there is a stack of speed drawn underneath him tonight and he is going to have to work hard early on. YOZO BALE (3) already has a couple of country cups on his CV and at four years of age, he is racing as well as ever. However, he will have to lead to win. SUBSTANTIAL (4) recently captured the Group 2 Shepparton Cup Final and although poorly drawn, ‘Yozo’ should give him a nice cart into the first bend and he must be respected. ASTON MERIT (2) has always shown enormous potential and he went to another level last Friday night running out the 520m in strong fashion. With a slow beginner inside, he should have no trouble finding the lead. EMANI BALE (7) is going to need some luck in running, but she can unwind a big finish.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/763380222/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 2 – 4 – 3 – 7

Today’s News

GEELONG GOLD CUP FINAL: ARMCHAIR GUIDE
YOZO – ‘THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE’
DOGS TO FOLLOW

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Thursday 21 April: $9.20 (-8%)
Wednesday 20 April: $22.84 (+128%)
Tuesday 19 April: $32.52 (+225%)
Monday 18 April: $23.25 (+132%)
Sunday 17 April: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 16 April: $26.30 (+163%)
Friday 15 April: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $114.11 for $70 invested (+63%)
Past 14 days: $200.07 for $140 invested (+43%)
Past 28 days: $360.53 for $280 invested (+29%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

March 2022: $392.18 for $310 (+26%)
February 2022: $288.97 for $280 (+3%)
January 2022: $302.53 for $310 (-3%)
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 (-27%)
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