Dual G3 placegetter Koblenz (21 from 33 – 5 from 6 Box 2) won his fourth-straight race last Thursday at Sandown Park in a devastating time of 29.16sec and he is back at Sandown Park today as the standout chaser in the second TAB Melbourne Cup prelude (515m).
G3 finalist Hadouken (5 from 6 Trk/Dst – 3 from 4 Box 1), Invictus Rising (11 from 28 – 29.26sec PB) and G3 winner Barooga Smoke (6 from 9 Trk/Dst – 29.16sec PB) will provide the main opposition to Koblenz.
The first TAB Melbourne Cup prelude featuring G3 finalist Aston Lavinia, G1 placegetters Carry On Angel (29.21sec PB) and Tyler Durden, and G1 finalist Weblec Blazer (2 from 3 Trk/Dst) promises to be a fascinating event.
Last Friday night’s G1 Adelaide Cup winner Do It (29.15sec PB) highlights the third TAB Melbourne Cup prelude, although Hebridean Black (5 of last 7), Pink Diamond 500m winner Sweet Petit (4 of last 8) and G3 finalist Keep It Blue must be respected.
G1 Sandown Cup champion Zipping Rambo (18 from 39) faces Russian Sub (3 of last 6), G2 placegetter Jarick Bale (2 of last 3) and Geelong Derby winner Nikoli Bale, while G3 runner-up Bounce Back (won last 2) v Gypsy Urana (won last 2) v G3 placegetter Knicks Bale (2 of last 3) is another tough battle.
Shantelle Rose v G2 finalist Got The Torque (29.31sec PB) v Yohan Bale v Weblec Raider is set to be a tight contest, while Omega Tyson (8 from 19) and Ben Mayo (3 from 6) should dominate in their respective races.
Pride Into Power (4 from 9 Trk/Dst) v Aston Mireya v Abalone Fozz (3 of last 6 – 21.78sec PB) v G2 finalist Daniel Avocado (2 from 4 Trk/Dst – 21.77sec PB) headline a competitive 390m Free For All at Warrnambool, while Zipping Zarbo (30 from 67) looks the goods.
Zigzag Cabang (3 from 6) returns to Shepparton after winning at the venue on Monday night, while Thunder King and Zippy Artist both look well placed at Warragul tonight.
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: TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude 2
HADOUKEN 
KOBLENZ INVICTUS RISING BAROOGA SMOKE
Sandown Park 
Race 8 
515m 
5:44pm
Form 
https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716100342/race/8
The Watchdog says 
: KOBLENZ (2) is a tremendous talent, and he was just enormous when scoring here last week in a blistering 29.16sec. After beginning well, he went through the first marker in a breathtaking 4.93sec and if he produces something similar today, they will have their work cut out trying to reel him in. Connections have this bloke flying and with the rich spring carnival approaching, this exciting talent is ready to take all before him. INVICTUS RISING (3) had always relied on luck in his races, however he has really matured in recent months, and he has an amazing ability to weave his way through a field and is one of a few chasers who can carve out time when coming from off the pace. I don’t think he can give the favourite a start and reel him in but with an ounce of luck mid race, he can charge into the quinella spot. HADOUKEN (1) has been luckless of late, but he returns to his favourite circuit and is expected to regain some much-needed confidence. He has won five-of-six over this track/distance and although he will not have enough pace to hold KOBLENZ at the bend, he should be able to take a nice sit and a top-three finish could be on the cards. XAVIEN BALE (6) has gone to another level in recent weeks and if he comes out cleanly, he can make a big impact. BAROOGA SMOKE (5) will have plenty of admirers and he was simply stunning when winning here last week, however that was from the red draw, and he faces a difficult task from the middle pin today. FERNANDO’S QUEST (4) is the interesting runner. He has always shown plenty of potential, but he made fans really take note with a scorching 29.69sec Cranbourne win. He has been thrown in the deep end today, but he could be one to follow going forward.
Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 6
THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT 
Thursday 14 October
$3 Place – ALL FEAR Shepparton Race 5 
Box 2 385m 1:01pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.90 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716504151/race/5
The Watchdog says : ALL FEAR (2) meets a steady line-up today and from the good draw I think he represents value for the place. His box manners are not great, but he has good muster, and he should get a nice run through behind the red. He is getting stronger all the time and if he can turn for home in the top four, he can definitely hit the scoreboard.
$4 Multi
First 
: Place – WRANGLER JANE Shepparton Race 6 Box 1 450m 1:24pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716504151/race/6
Second : Win – MONO CHROMATIC Warrnambool Race 8 Box 1 450m 8:16pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539075/race/8
The Watchdog says : WRANGLER JANE (1) has raced well here to date, and she is drawn to get all the breaks. There are a couple of handy ones out wide, but she should turn for home in the top three and she is strong in the run home. MONO CHROMATIC (1) is a serious prospect and he should be leading throughout at the short quote.
Multi price: $2.17
$2 Trifecta – 2 / 1,3 / 1,3,4,5,6 (25%) Sandown Park Race 8 515m 5:44pm Must Watch Race
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716100342/race/8
The Watchdog says : KOBLENZ (2) just oozes class, and he should be leading throughout. HADOUKEN (1) should be prominent throughout, whilst INVICTUS RISING (3) will charge to the line, so we have taken those two runners to finish second. We have gone a little wider for third in the hope of securing some value.
$1 Win – METRO BOOMIN’ 
Lucky Longshot Warragul Race 12 Box 7 400m 10:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $8 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/716100343/race/12
The Watchdog says : He would prefer a rails draw but he is racing with confidence, and he has the ability to lead or come from off the pace in his races. He will need a few things to go his way, but he represents value at the price.
RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS
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