The Watchdog rates his main rival as Mepunga Felix, who was a G1 Silver Chief finalist and a last-start third in the G3 Easter Cup (515m) at Sandown Park.
A recent G1 Australian Cup finalist, Shima Classic clocked the fastest heat win (24.76sec) on Monday, which was one length outside Silver Lake’s 24.69sec track record. It was her eighth win from only 13 starts.
Ferdinand Boy notched his fifth win in a row posting a 24.92sec heat win – almost three lengths slower than Shima Classic. He’s now chasing back-to-back country cups wins, having taken out last month’s G2 Shepparton Cup (450m) and setting a new track record (24.75sec).
But after drawing Box 8 in the $47,000 to-the-winner final, The Watchdog has made Ferdinand Boy his best ‘Win’ bet. What’s more, the expert form analyst says he’s a good thing.
“The dog is airborne, he’s got his box, everything points to him… I think Ferdinand Boy looks an absolute moral,” he said. And he added: “I can see Shima Classic (Box 2) getting crowded. She’s going to need a few thigs to go her way.”
Only 27 months old, Ferdinand Boy, a ‘nephew’ of former G1 star Up Hill Jill, has won 18 races from 31 starts – including six from seven (86%) out of the ‘pink’ alley.
Ferdinand Boy is TAB’s $2.30 favourite ahead of 24-month-old Shima Classic at $2.50.
Meanwhile, the Ballarat Cup meeting features a fantastic card of racing – including the Ballarat Cup Consolation (450m) and Autumn Classic Grade 5 final (450m).
The Watchdog is tipping the much improved Lektra Yoyo, who has won four of his past six starts, can cause an upset in the Consolation which comprises sprinters the ilk of dual G2 country cups winner Yozo Bale and G3 Cup Night Sprint winner Music Event.
The form expert also likes hot speedster Paddy’s Marvel in the Autumn Classic. He’s a potential star with 11 wins from 15 starts – including his past seven – and broke Shepparton’s 385-metre track record with a sizzling 21.38sec performance on March 20.
And another highlight is Equalizer stepping up over more ground in the Ballarat GAP Café Special Event (545m).
A two-time G1 finalist and runner-up in both the G2 Warragul Cup and G2 Cranbourne Cup, Equalizer possesses a paralysing finishing burst.
The Watchdog rates his main rival as Mepunga Felix who was a last-start third in the G3 Easter Cup (515m) at Sandown.
Check out The Watchdog’s extensive analysis of tonight’s ‘Must-Watch’ race, along with his best ‘Win’ and ‘Place’ bets in today’s edition of the Daily Mail.
