A high quality line-up of male sprinters are contesting the $152,500 Group 1 Harrison-Dawson Final (515m) at Sandown Park this Thursday night and The Watchdog has identified Titan Blazer ($4) and Kinson Bale ($5.50) as the main chances.

Titan Blazer (Box 3) used the inside draw to his advantage in his high-pressure heat win last Friday night and the expert form analyst believes the Group 1 Silver Chief placegetter can cross and lead.

“He’s very good when he can dictate terms. The 29.24 (personal best on February 13) would see him go very, very close.”

Click HERE  for TAB’s latest Harrison-Dawson Final market

Kinson Bale (Box 4) is a “great chance” according to The Watchdog and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup placegetter will keep the pressure on Titan Blazer throughout.

“He led them up last week, got tired, but I think if Titan Blazer can bring him across, he’ll go to work mid-race and he’ll keep the leader honest, so he’s got to be definitely respected.”

“Titan Blazer is very good when he can dictate terms.”

– THE WATCHDOG

Rapaki Rocks (Box 2) “obliterated” his rivals in the fastest of the five heat wins (29.24 seconds) and he has won three-of-four over 515 metres at Sandown Park, but The Watchdog has concerns about the $3.30 TAB fixed favourite.

“He can be a little bit inconsistent at box rise; very hit or miss, and if he gets too far back, he’s giving quality greyhounds a start, and I don’t think he’ll be able to bridge that gap.”

Fearless Max (Box 1) has “gone to another level” during his five-race winning streak, however, The Watchdog is worried about the early speed from Titan Blazer and Kinson Bale, which could leave Fearless Max buried back along the rail.

The Watchdog’s $20 spend

$10 on Titan Blazer to win at $4
$10 on Kinson Bale to win at $5.50

Listed Australian Sprint winner Nikoli Bale (Box 6) has been touted as the ‘smokey’ of the field by The Watchdog.

“He can be a little hit-or-miss early, but if he does time it (the start), we know what he is capable of, and at the $14, probably represents some value.”

King Of Calypso (Box 5) was aided by Box 1 in his heat win, but he could find trouble in the final, while Here Comes Pie (Box 7) would be “a major player” if he drew Box 1.

Even though Bang (Box 8) has won four-of-five from the outside box including his heat last Friday night, he will have to go quicker than his first section of 5.12 seconds to avoid being posted wide.

Group 1 HARRISON-DAWSON FINAL (515m)
Sandown Park Race 5, Thursday 7:31pm
First prize $100,000
1 FEARLESS MAX (Harley Whelan, Metung VIC) ?
2 RAPAKI ROCKS (Mario Briganti, Devon Meadows VIC)
3 TITAN BLAZER (Rebecca Gibbons, Avalon VIC)
4 KINSON BALE (Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC)
5 KING OF CALYPSO (Tim Britton, Lara VIC)
6 NIKOLI BALE (Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC)
7 HERE COMES PIE (Des Douch, Maffra VIC)
8 BANG (Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC)
Reserves
9 EQUALIZER   SCRATCHED
10 OLD NEWS   SCRATCHED

WATCH: TITAN BLAZER (1) defied the challengers to win his heat of the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson (515m) at Sandown Park in 29.51 seconds on May 13.     Results

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