Dual G3 finalist Black Avenger – racing for the first time since April 8 – is the headline act in a Mixed 4/5 450m event at Ballarat this evening.

Master Avenger – a litter brother and kennelmate of Black Avenger – is resuming from a month off, while Tiggerlong Jet was victorious at Geelong two starts back.

Whistling Bullet – a Floodfawn Classic finalist at Traralgon this Friday night – is racing at the same track tonight in a Mixed 4/5 350m event.

Smokin’ Charlie – triumphant in four of his last eight starts – highlights a Mixed 4/5 395m race.

Today’s Racing

Warrnambool: 11:05am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Traralgon: 2:32pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Ballarat: 7:04pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

SMOKIN’ CHARLIE

Trainer: Rob Camilleri
? Traralgon ? Race 6
? Box 4 ? 395m ⏱ 4:17pm

Claim to fame:
– Won 4 of last 8
– 74% top-three from 47 starts

TAB fixed odds: $1.70

The Watchdog says: Yes

WHISTLING BULLET

Trainer: Gary Joske
? Traralgon ? Race 11
? Box 1 ? 350m ⏱ 5:58pm

Claim to fame:
– The Horizon finalist
– 69% top-three from 97 starts

TAB fixed odds: $1.20

The Watchdog says: Yes

BLACK AVENGER

Trainer: Joe Borg
? Ballarat ? Race 6
? Box 2 ? 450m ⏱ 8:50pm

Claim to fame:
– Dual Group 3 finalist
– Won 3 of last 4

TAB fixed odds: $1.60

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 20 June

? $3 Win – BIG JOHN
? Warrnambool ? Race 12 ? Box 2 ? 390m ⏱ 2:27pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/792699736/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : BIG JOHN (2) was a good thing beaten here on Thursday night and he will appreciate the drop in class today. His box manners can be hit or miss but he has a great turn of foot once balanced and he should get a nice run through in the middle stages. If he gets a clear crack at them, he should simply prove too classy.

? $2 Multi

First ?: Win – SMOKIN’ CHARLIE
? Traralgon ? Race 6 ? Box 4 ? 395m ⏱ 4:17pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.70 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/787980316/race/6

Second ?: Win – DEPLOYMENT
? Ballarat ? Race 3 ? Box 3 ? 545m ⏱ 7:51pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/781477337/race/3

Third ?: Place – STETSENKO
? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 8:30pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/781477337/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : SMOKIN’ CHARLIE (4) is one of the most reliable beginners in work and he looks very well graded in this event. He should have the pace to cross and lead throughout. DEPLOYMENT (3) has turned in some handy performances to date and he should be suited to this distance range. STETSENKO (1) was a dominant debut winner here, she should be prominent throughout, and a top-two finish looks likely.

Multi price: $7.01

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – SMOKIN’ CHARLIE
? Traralgon ? Race 6 ? Box 4 ? 395m ⏱ 4:17pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.70 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/787980316/race/6

Second ?: Win – ROLLIN’ IN IT
? Ballarat ? Race 4 ? Box 7 ? 450m ⏱ 8:12pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.60 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/781477337/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : ROLLIN’ IN IT (7) has raced well against some handy types to date and she will appreciate the drop in class tonight. With a clean getaway, she will be able to settle in the top two and she should prove too strong in the run home.

Multi price: $4.42

? $2 Exacta – 2,6 / 2,4,6,8,10 (25%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Mixed Grade 4/5

? Ballarat ? Race 6
? 450m ⏱ 8:50pm

The Watchdog says ?: Dual Group 3 finalist BLACK AVENGER (2) will take a power of beating, but his litter brother and kennelmate MASTER AVENGER (6) can ping the lids, so we have taken them both up front. We have gone wide for second in the hope of securing some value.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

Excitement machine BLACK AVENGER (2) make his return after a couple of months off. He scored some breathtaking wins when last in work around this circuit and Shepparton. He is in very good hands, so I’m expecting him to be at peak fitness and a clean getaway can see him lead throughout. His kennelmate MASTER AVENGER (6) has a great record here and he has been a very good chaser for some time now. He is not as gifted as his brother, but he can spear the lids at times. LOVAZ BALE (4) has continued to get better with every run around The Meadows, and he gives the indication that this distance range will suit. If he can settle top three, he can make a big impact.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/781477337/race/6

The Watchdog’s selections: 2 – 8 – 6 – 4

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Sunday 19 June: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 18 June: $0 (-100%)
Friday 17 June: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 16 June: $12.60 (+26%)
Wednesday 15 June: $5.50 (-45%)
Tuesday 14 June: $0 (-100%)
Monday 13 June: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $18.10 for $70 invested (-74%)
Past 14 days: $91.08 for $140 invested (-35%)
Past 28 days: $230.58 for $280 invested (-18%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

May 2022: $331.68 for $310 (+7%)
April 2022: $307.92 for $300 (+3%)
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