A terrific line-up of greyhounds will be vying for a place in next Saturday night’s $50,000 to-the-winner G2 Bendigo Cup final (425m) in eight win-and-you’re-in heats this evening.
The sixth heat is arguably the most competitive with dual G1 champion Tiggerlong Tonk (42 from 89 – 9 from 15 Box 8) facing Typhoon Sammy (won last 4 – 23.43sec PB), G1 finalist Handsome Rhino (9 from 20) and veteran Rilynn Bale (34 from 72 – 4 from 7 Trk/Dst).
Recent Geelong Derby winner Nikoli Bale v dual G2 finalist Mr. America (10 from 21) v G1 placegetter Shima Classic (4 from 5 Box 8) highlight the first heat, while G3 winner Lala Kiwi (13 from 30) will battle Group finalists Hadouken, Lots Of Chatter (2 from 5 Trk/Dst) and Fortuna Bale (4 from 9 Box 8) in the second heat.
The third heat features G1 runner-up Music Event (3 from 5 Trk/Dst – 23.36sec PB) and Warragul 400m track record holder Paua Of Buddy (6 from 9), while July’s Prospector winner Rebellious (13 from 18 – 3 from 4 Trk/Dst) and dual G1 heroine Qwara Bale (20 from 40) are the standout chasers in the fourth heat.
Three-time G2 country cup champion Ferdinand Boy (29 from 51 – 5 from 10 Box 5) has to contend with G3 finalist Hennessey (4 from 4 Box 1 – 23.61sec PB) in the fifth heat, although his task has been made easier with the scratching of Dream Wizard.
Last year’s G2 Bendigo Cup winner Yozo Bale (2 from 3 Trk/Dst) is against Group finalists Oriental Amber (24 from 52 – 23.64sec PB) and Aston Geneve (6 from 8), plus Rocket Boy (31 from 60 – 3 from 6 Trk/Dst), in the seventh heat, while Group winners Dr. Tucker (16 from 28) and Jax Bale headline the eighth and final Bendigo Cup heat.
Speedster Bareki (14 from 21 – won last 4) and In The Spotlight (5 from 8) also feature on the Bendigo card, while G3 winner Five Star (4 of last 5) should dominate his rivals in the 680m Special Event at Warragul.
Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for 
The Watchdog’s $10 spend…
MUST-WATCH RACE: Chasers Function Centre Bendigo Cup Heat 6
TYPHOON SAMMY 
HANDSOME RHINO RILYNN BALE TIGGERLONG TONK
Bendigo 
Race 8 
425m 
9:04pm
Form 
https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/8
The Watchdog says 
: All eight heats are absolutely stacked but this event features a couple of up-and-coming stars along with one of the most accomplished chasers we have seen in recent times. TIGGERLONG TONK (8) is a two-time Group 1 winner, and he comes into this on the back of a brilliant performance when finishing runner up in the Group 2 Healesville Cup final last month. He is always a chance in everything he contests and he has a tremendous record from this draw, however he is going to have to do it the hard way tonight. There is an abundance of early speed drawn inside, so he is likely to be posted wide through the bend and he is going to need to run sub 23.40 seconds to reel in the leader. TYHOON SAMMY (1) has always shown enormous talent, however since joining the Jason Thompson kennel, he has gone to another level. He has gone four-of-four in Victoria, and he was a breathtaking 23.43sec winner here two runs back when having his first look at the track. With a wide runner drawn on his outside, he should get plenty of room to balance up and pounce on the early lead and he could possibly get down to the 23.35sec mark. HANDSOME RHINO (2) rounds out the ‘big guns’. He is unbeaten in his two runs since a spell and his confidence level is high. He will push to the middle of the track early, but he is normally faultless at box rise and he will be prominent from the outset. It should be a thrilling series and I cannot wait to see this race unfold.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 8 – 4
THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT 
Saturday 9 October
$2 Trifecta – 8 / 1 / 7 (200%) Warragul Race 4 680m 7:10pm
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539060/race/4
The Watchdog says : FIVE STAR (8) has a clear class edge, and he should blow them away tonight. DARNUM DIVA (1) will be suited by the smaller line-up, and she will chase the favourite hard throughout. DESERT FLAME (7) should be in third spot for most of the journey.
$2.50 Multi
First 
: Win – SHIMA CLASSIC Bendigo Race 3 
Box 8 425m 7:15pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/3
Second : Win – MANIA Bendigo Race 12 Box 1 425m 10:30pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.55 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/12
The Watchdog says : SHIMA CLASSIC (8) returns to the track, and she has the perfect draw over her ideal distance range. I am expecting her to step well and she has unrivalled pace from the 20m to 200m mark and she can give the track record a nudge tonight. MANIA (1) has been super in her past two at Shepparton behind the classy KINSON BALE and she will appreciate the drop in class tonight. I expect her to lead and score comfortably.
Multi price: $3.57
$2.50 Multi
First : Win – FERDINAND BOY Bendigo Race 7 Box 5 425m 8:45pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.70 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/7
Second : Win – MANIA Bendigo Race 12 Box 1 425m 10:30pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.55 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/12
The Watchdog says : FERDINAND BOY (5) just keeps winning for fun and the empty draw on his outside is a huge advantage tonight. With an even getaway, he should be able to burst to the lead and score. MANIA (1), as mentioned in the previous investment, is expected to lead from go to whoa.
Multi price: $2.64
$1 Exacta – 1 / 2,4,5,7 (25%) Bendigo Race 8 425m 9:04pm Must Watch Race
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/8
The Watchdog says : TYPHOON SAMMY (1) will get plenty of cover early and he should be leading throughout. TIGGERLONG TONK (8) is an obvious danger, but I think he might find early bother from out there, so we have gone wide for second in the hope of securing some value.
$2 Trifecta – 1 / 4 / 6,8 (100%) Bendigo Race 12 425m 10:30pm
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539140/race/12
The Watchdog says : MANIA (1) is clearly the best of the night. ASTRO BOY (4) has a good turn of foot, and he should fill the quinella spot. MCIVOR STRETCH (6) and BERRINGA BLUE (8) should have a great tussle for third and they are hard to split.
RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS
Friday 8 October: $5.50 (-45%)
Thursday 7 October: $0 (-100%)
Wednesday 6 October: $0 (-100%)
Tuesday 5 October: $7 (-30%)
Monday 4 October: $22.40 (+124%)
Sunday 3 October: $16.60 (+66%)
Saturday 2 October: $0 (-100%)
Past 7 days: $51.50 for $70 invested (-26%)
Past 14 days: $135.90 for $140 invested (-3%)
Past 28 days: $215.94 for $280 invested (-23%)
MONTH x MONTH RECORD
September 2021: $220.69 for $300 (-26%)
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.
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