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 Drawcards
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
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
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
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