Daily Mail: Seventh heaven for Jonah?

Despite facing more decorated rivals, The Watchdog has selected Hill Top Jonah (14 from 27 – 4 from 7 Box 1) to register his seventh-straight victory in today’s $71,250 G2 SEN Track Healesville Cup final (350m).

The quickest of last Sunday’s six heat winners is not only contesting his first Group final, but also facing two superstars in the feature event of the Healesville Festival of Racing.

Dual G1 winner Tiggerlong Tonk (42 from 88 – 18.93sec PB) – lining up in his 22^nd Group event – has won three of his last four races and was second to Aston Rupee in the recent G3 525m Speed Star at The Meadows.

If he is victorious in the $50,000 to-the-winner G2 final, Ferdinand Boy (26 from 48 – 19.00sec PB) will also collect a $50,000 bonus having already won two G2 country cups this calendar year – Shepparton and Ballarat – in March and April respectively.

Highway 31 Maiden Challenge winner Aston Merit (2 from 3) and litter sister Aston Geneve (6 from 6) must be respected despite their relative inexperience to Tiggerlong Tonk and Ferdinand Boy.

Invictus Ethan v G3 finalist Hennessey (8 from 19) v Anita Sonic Love (7 from 15 – 19.06sec PB) v Duncan (13 from 27) v G3 finalist Smart As Jack (6 from 12 Trk/Dst) should provide a great contest in the $7,000 to-the-winner Healesville Members Trophy final.

At Sandown Park, Group finalists Mepunga Katie and Aston Ulysses are set for a terrific duel, while Hugo v Aston Amigo (6 from 14) v Invictus Jaxson (4 from 9 Trk/Dst) should be intriguing.

Track specialist Omega Dodge (won last 4) v Dr. Madison v G3 finalist Gotham Duke (16 from 42) battle in the Sale 440m Free For All.

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: Group 2 SEN Track Healesville Cup Final

HILL TOP JONAH ASTON GENEVE FERDINAND BOY TIGGERLONG TONK

Healesville Race 6 350m 12:29pm

Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/6

The Watchdog says : What a cracking line-up we have for the premier straight track event in the land. TIGGERLONG TONK (6) just continues to amaze, and he is ready to tackle another feature race final. After missing the kick and finding bother in his heat, he was able to balance up and charge to the line and score. He has not fared well with the box draw again with MR. AMERICA (7) on his outside expected to look for the rail soon after box rise, so the champ will have to begin well and try to hold his position in the first 50m or so. You can never count him out, but he is going to need a few things to go his way. FERDINAND BOY (5) is already a two-time country cup winner, and he is looking to secure the $50,000 bonus for three country cups in a calendar year. The box draw is not great, but ‘Tonk’ will stay wide on the track and excitement machine ASTON GENEVE (4) will look to head to the rail, so he should get enough room to muster, and he will pour the pressure on early. He is better suited to a one turn track, but he has still put the time on the board here in recent weeks and he is a serious contender. HILL TOP JONAH (1) has been a revelation in recent weeks having won six-in-a-row here and on each occasion, he has rattled the clock. He consistently carves out around 6.45sec to the first marker and a repeat of that will see him settle on the pace with his kennel mate and with the potential to run sub 18.90sec, he is the one they have to beat. ASTON MERIT (2) could be the surprise packet having captured the rich Highway 31 maiden series here and he was enormous in his heat last week. He was desperate to find the inside in his heat and with ‘Jonah’ expected to lead, he should get a nice run through, and he could cause a minor upset. ASTON GENEVE (4) has gone six-of-six since kicking off her career and had she drawn closer to the rail, she would be a major player, however from the middle pin, she may have to work too hard in the initial stages.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 6 – 2

THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT
Sunday 12 September

$3 Multi

First : Win – DANIEL AVOCADO
Healesville Race 5 Box 1 350m 12:06pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/5

Second : Place – ASTON LATHAM
Healesville Race 10 Box 3 350m 1:44pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.28 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/10

Third : Place – ASTON PROFIT
Healesville Race 12 Box 8 350m 2:25pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.18 Place (Top two finish required)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/12

The Watchdog says : DANIEL AVOCADO (1) has plenty on his rivals class wise and there should be no excuses from the favourable draw. ASTON LATHAM (3) is a powerful chaser and with the inside two runners expected to hold the lead, he should be able to find the rail and charge home into the money. ASTON PROFIT (8) has blistering early speed and should lead for a long way, the last 30m may be a concern but she should have enough in the tank for a top two finish.

Multi price: $2.11

$2 Place – ASTON MERIT
Healesville Race 6 Box 2 350m 12:29pm Must Watch Race
TAB fixed odds: $3.40 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/6

The Watchdog says : He recently captured the rich Highway 31 maiden series here and he has plenty of upside. He exited the pink draw in his heat, and he was desperate for the inside, so with ‘Jonah’ expected to lead, he should be able to follow the red through and settle in a prominent spot. I am not sure if he can reel the leader in but at that price to place, he represents value.

$2 Win – UNATHI BALE
$1 Win – WALDEMAR BALE Lucky Longshot
Healesville Race 7 Boxes 1 & 2 350m 12:47pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.50 (Unathi Bale)
TAB fixed odds: $7.00 (Waldemar Bale)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/7

The Watchdog says : UNATHI BALE (1) is armed with breathtaking pace soon after box rise, and he has always given the indication he will be suited to straight track racing. The runners directly on his outside will race middle to wide, so he should get plenty of cover early and he can go to work mid race. WALDEMAR BALE (2) is another who should be suited to straight track racing, and he represents value. He will want to push to the outside, but he has terrific muster, so if he can get into the clear without too much trouble, he can cause a minor upset.

$2 Win – INVICTUS ETHAN
Healesville Race 8 Box 1 350m 1:04pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.90 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/8

The Watchdog says : He is an absolute rocket up the straight and he has finally come up with the red draw. UNQUESTIONED (2) should push to the middle of the track, so he will get plenty of room in the initial stages and I am expecting him to lead them up. There are some smart ones drawn in the middle, however they are likely to bunch up initially and that will allow him to steal a break mid race and that should be enough to see him score.