Superstar sprinter Tiggerlong Tonk will return to the spotlight at Bendigo on Friday afternoon, searching for his first victory since taking out the G1 Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park in May.
Tiggerlong Tonk (39 from 89 – 5 from 11 Box 3), which also won the G1 Perth Cup in April, has been beaten at his past 4 starts and will feature in a ‘no holds barred’ clash against another prolific pair in Rilynn Bale (32 from 68 – 3 from 6 Trk/Dst) and Slingshot Titan (29 from 55 – 4 of past 5).
Tiggerlong Tonk’s young trainer Correy Grenfell and wife Samantha have two other strong Bendigo prospects in littermates Usman Bale (6 from 17) and Xavien Bale (8 from 24).
Also not to be missed is the match-up between Group finalists Smart As Jack (18 from 44 – 3 from 5 Trk/Dst) and Zipping Zarbo (26 from 58 – 2 from 2 Trk/Dst).
Meanwhile, the class runner at Sale is two-time Group finalist Earn The Answers (10 from 34 – 3 from 5 Box 8), while other notable contenders on the card include ‘strike rate’ duo Perfect Colour (17 from 44) and Made Me Blind (18 from 42 – won past 4).
Earlier, Six Speed Manual will be striving to back-up a flying 25.19sec debut victory at Shepparton.
One of the highlights at Geelong will come in the final race of the night when in-form duo Aston Mireya (12 from 41) and Waldemar Bale (8 from 22) lock horns.
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: Bill Wilkinson Optical Free For All
TIGGERLONG TONK 
RILYNN BALE SLINGSHOT TITAN
Bendigo 
Race 5 
425m 
4:37pm
Form 
https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538441/race/5
The Watchdog says 
: The great TIGGERLONG TONK (3) makes his return to the track after five weeks off and should be primed for a bold first-up showing. The dual Group 1 winner had been taking all before him and I’m expecting another big preparation. No doubt he’ll be looking to add more feature events to his impressive CV. A forward showing is expected today, however punters might not want to rush in at the skinny odds as he takes on a few smart ones. The box draw hasn’t done him any favours; however, with a slow beginner on his outside, he should get some room to move early and that will allow him to put himself in a threatening position at the bend. SLINGSHOT TITAN (8) has won four of his past five in devastating fashion and a staggering 29 of 55 overall. He comes up with the perfect draw and if he can step evenly should utilise his explosive turn of foot. And if there’s some bunching underneath, he may be off and gone through the bend. With the ability to go sub-23.60sec, he’s right in the mix. RILYNN BALE (6) is another runner with an amazing strike rate, having won 32 of 68, and she returned to her brilliant best with a slashing 21.64sec Shepparton win. She’s a near-faultless beginner and may cut off ‘Tonk’ as they head into the bend and that could make the race for her and ‘Slingshot’. DARK COMPASS (1) and MAN ABSCONDED (2) are both incredibly talented; however, with the depth in this event, they appear to be place chances at best. Fingers crossed the three main elects all begin well and it will then be a keenly contested event.
Selections: 8 – 6 – 3 – 1
THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT 
Friday 6 August
$2 Win – TOYED Healesville Race 7 
Box 5 515m 12:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538440/race/7
The Watchdog says : He’s always done his best racing here and can really carve out time when in the clear. He’ll want to get to the outside soon after box rise, so the middle draw should suit, and I expect him to prove too classy.
$3 Multi
First 
: Place – BUSTER’S CHOICE Healesville Race 9 Box 1 350m 1:47pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Place (top two finish required)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538440/race/9
Second : Place – MAVERICK NACHO Bendigo Race 11 Box 4 425m 6:38pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538441/race/11
Third : Place – NATHAN RYDER Sale Race 9 Box 8 440m 9:38pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.26 Place (top two finish required)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538438/race/9
The Watchdog says : BUSTER’S CHOICE (1) is showing plenty of promise and he will be charging to the line late and a top two finish looks likely. MAVERICK NACHO (4) has been impressive since resuming and he should be on the pace from the outset. NATHAN RYDER (8) lit up the clock here recently and he likes to scout wide in his races, so he should be figuring in the finish
Multi price: $3.70
$3 Multi
First : Place – USMAN BALE Bendigo Race 4 Box 3 425m 4:17pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.28 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538441/race/4
Second : Win – PERFECT COLOUR Sale Race 6 Box 4 520m 8:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.75 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538438/race/6
Third : Place – ASTON MIREYA Geelong Race 12 Box 2 400m 10:45pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.08 Place (top two finish required)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538439/race/12
The Watchdog says : USMAN BALE (3) has gone to the next level in recent months and with an ounce of luck early, a top three finish looks likely. PERFECT COLOUR (4) is all class and with the lack of early pace in the event, he should assume control early and score with ease. ASTON MIREYA (2) is a near faultless beginner, and she will have a great battle with WALDEMAAR BALE (8) throughout.
Multi price: $2.42
$2 Quaddie – 4.16% (48 combinations) Bendigo Races 5 – 8 4:37pm
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538441/race/5
: 6,8: 1,4,6,8: 1,3,8: 7,8
The Watchdog says : TIGGERLONG TONK (3) is a beast, but with the speed out wide I think he’s under the odds. So, we’re taking him on in the first leg. The second leg is open, so we’ve gone wide there. KILLASHANDRA (3) and MEEHAN TOMMY (8) are the on speed runners in the third leg and we’ve also included the strong BLUEBERRY HILL (1). SMART AS JACK (7) and ZIPPING ZARBO (8) are expected to dominate the last leg.
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