Friday night racing heads to Lords Raceway with the finals of the $22K Bendigo Roses (425m) and $22K The Prospector (425m), both age-restricted events for female and male greyhounds respectively.

Heats were conducted last Sunday with Aston Flame (6 from 8) literally setting the track alight with a scorching 23.65sec victory by 8.5L.

Her main opposition in tonight’s Roses Final could be big race specialist Jazz Opera, who in her first 18 starts has captured the Healesville Oaks and rich G3 Vic Bred Maiden Final at The Meadows on Australian Cup night.

The Prospector Final will also be electric with Rebellious (7 from 9) the one to beat after his near-track record heat win in 23.47sec, while Masked Avenger (11 from 22) appears to be the main danger.

Hill Top Jack (11 from 26) and Immunity (14 from 20) are other talented types racing at Bendigo tonight.

At Geelong, Pink Diamond maiden winner Weblec Raider (3 from 4) looks hard to beat, while a great battle looms between forgotten superstars Barooga Smoke (2^nd Horsham Cup) v Bobby The Brute (3^rd Sale Cup), who have both spent considerable time on the sidelines in recent months.

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: Bendigo Roses Final

JAZZ OPERA ? TYNSLEE BALE ? MEPUNGA GERTIE ? ASTON FLAME ? DIAMOND ABILITY

? Bendigo ? Race 6 ? 425m ⏱ 8:47pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/625474474/race/6

The Watchdog says ?: Quality line-up with the exciting ASTON FLAME (7) headlining the affair. Being a sister to star chasers Aston Rupee and Aston Fastnet, the expectations for her have been high and she has not let connections down having won six of eight in blistering fashion. With good box manners, her biggest asset is her devastating turn of foot soon after box rise and her overall times appear to be getting better with each go around. This is clearly her toughest test, but with an ounce of luck early she will take a power of beating. JAZZ OPERA (1) is already a group winner at The Meadows and is a near faultless beginner, so from the inside draw I’m expecting her to dictate terms and, if the top elect happens to find bother, she may be off and gone with the prize. MEPUNGA GERTIE (6) owns a sizzling 23.69sec PB here and is capable of leading or coming from off the pace in her races. The box draw hasn’t done her any favours, but she is far too good to dismiss. DIAMOND ABILITY (8) has only had four starts, but she is showing enormous potential and is drawn to get all the breaks, whilst TYNSLEE BALE (5) has class on her side and must be respected based on her handy 23.97sec heat win.

Selections:  7 – 1 – 6 – 8

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Friday 2 July

? $3 Multi

First ?: Bundle Bet – 2,6,7,8
? Healesville ? Race 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:31pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.44 Win (Any one of the four selections to win)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541527/race/6

Second ?: Place – FINLAYSTONE
? Healesville ? Race 12 ? Box 1 ? 300m ⏱ 2:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541527/race/12

Third ?: Win – DANCING CASSIE
? Warragul ? Race 11 ? Box 1 ? 400m ⏱ 6:24pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541520/race/11

Fourth ?: Win – WEBLEC RAIDER
? Geelong ? Race 5 ? Box 7 ? 460m ⏱ 8:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.75 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541526/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : Race 6 at Healesville is quite open, so we have taken four runners in that event. FINLAYSTONE (1) loves Healesville and he will get plenty of cover from the two in the initial stages so a top three finish looks likely. DANCING CASSIE (1) has turned in some great performances of late and she is expected to lead throughout. WEBLEC RAIDER (7) is a serious prospect and he is expected to light up the clock tonight.

Multi price: $7.14

? $3 Place – JAZZ OPERA
? Bendigo ? Race 6 ? Box 1 ? 425m ⏱ 8:47pm                    ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/625474474/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : JAZZ OPERA (1) is a near faultless beginner and from the inside draw she is expected to lead for a long way in the Bendigo Roses Final. She was reeled in late in her heat, however that was her first look at the track, so she will be much better for the run.

? $3 Win – ALL INN BILLY
? Bendigo ? Race 9 ? Box 2 ? 500m ⏱ 9:47pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/625474474/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : Two runs back he was a dominant winner at The Meadows in 30.09sec and from a favourable draw he will prove hard to hold out again. If he can step on terms, he should be able to cross the red early and he is very hard to get past when on the arm.

? $1 Trifecta – 2,3/2,3/1,4,5,6,8 (10%)
? Bendigo ? Race 9 ? 500m ⏱ 9:47pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/625474474/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : Very keen on ALL INN BILLY (2) and I expect him to figure prominently. DAPH’S ASCEND (3) is a classy type and she can follow the inside two runners through and fill the quinella spot. Fingers crossed we can land some value in third spot.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Thursday 1 July: $11 (+10%)
Wednesday 30 June: $12.75 (+28%)
Tuesday 29 June: $10.84 (+8%)
Monday 28 June: $6.60 (-34%)
Sunday 27 June: $4.40 (-56%)
Saturday 26 June: $8.80 (-12%)
Friday 25 June: $18.36 (+84%)
Thursday 24 June: $4.20 (-58%)

Past 7 days: $72.75 for $70 invested (+4%)

Past 14 days: $122.70 for $140 invested (-12%)

Past 28 days: $333.38 for $280 (+19%)

? MONTHLY RECORD

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.

*Please gamble responsibly