The spotlight shines on Shepparton tonight with three sprint stars – Fernando Bluey (18 from 35) and Ferdinand Boy (22 from 40) and Papi Go Fast (23 from 40) – set for a sizzling showdown over 385m.

G1 Australian Cup runner-up Fernando Bluey hasn’t raced since May, but has won 10 of his last 15 (67%) and is unbeaten in three starts from Box 3.

Dual country cups winner Ferdinand Boy (G2 Shepparton Cup & G2 Ballarat Cup) holds Shepparton’s 450m track record (24.75sec), while Papi Go Fast (3^rd G1 Silver Chief) has won six of his last eight (75%) and is eight from 10 (80%) exiting Box 7.

Another interesting match-up on this fixture is lightning beginner and G1 finalist Run Baba Run (23 wins) v Chop Scotch (13 from 25), who has run first or second in his past 13 runs.

Meanwhile, watch for Miss Martina (3 from 5) who is a younger half-sister of Fernando Bluey and G1 Hume Cup winner Fernando Cazz.

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: Gipp’s Shipping Containers Mixed 4/5

FERNANDO BLUEY ? FERDINAND BOY ? PAPI GO FAST

? Shepparton ? Race 9 ? 385m ⏱ 9:32pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541429/race/9

The Watchdog says ?: Greyhound fans are in for a treat tonight as we see three of the best speedsters in the State face off at Shepparton over 385m. FERNANDO BLUEY (3) comes into this after having six weeks off and he is expected to fire fresh. In recent times, his best form has been over 500m, however early in his career he established a brilliant record on the provincial circuit, and he had carved out some blistering times across Victoria. If he can step and hold the lead tonight, he will take a power of beating. FERDINAND BOY (5) is already a two time country cup champ, and he recently added the rich Horizon series to his resume. He has not fared well with the box draw, but he is normally quite reliable at box rise and he has electrifying pace once balanced. So, with an ounce of luck, he should be up outside ‘Bluey’ initially and they can go stride for stride throughout. PAPI GO FAST (7) rounds out the ‘big 3’ and he comes into this in rare form. He has a tremendous strike rate and he capped off a great stretch of form with a near record 17.44sec Cranbourne win last week, so if he reproduces a similar run tonight he could upset his two more fancied rivals

Selections:  3 – 5 – 7 – 1

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 5 July

? $3 Multi

First ?: Place – BLACK BEAVER
? Warrnambool ? Race 7 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 1:27pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541430/race/7

Second ?: Place – BLACKPOOL MARVEL
? Ballarat ? Race 12 ? Box 1 ? 390m ⏱ 6:41pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.70 Place (top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541428/race/12

Third ?: Place – GREGARIOUS
? Shepparton ? Race 4 ? Box 8 ? 385m ⏱ 7:53pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.30 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541429/race/4

Fourth ?: Place – CHOP SCOTCH
? Shepparton ? Race 8 ? Box 7 ? 450m ⏱ 9:13pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541429/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : BLACK BEAVER (2) is drawn to get the gun run and he will put himself into a threatening position mid race. BLACKPOOL MARVEL (1) should hold a top two spot early and it’s hard to see him missing a place. GREGARIOUS (8) is back to a suitable trip and is expected to run a forward race. CHOP SCOTCH (7) will get a dream run across early and he is absolutely flying at present.

Multi price: $4.80

? $2 WIN – SLINGSHOT TILLER
? $1 WIN – BLUE MAGIC OPAL
? Ballarat ? Race 11 ? Boxes 5 & 6 ? 390m ⏱ 6:18pm
TAB fixed odds: $4.40 Win (Slingshot Tiller)
TAB fixed odds: $12 Win (Blue Magic Opal)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541428/race/11

The Watchdog says ? : SLINGSHOT TILLER (5) will appreciate the drop in class, and she is armed with sizzling early speed, so with a little room early she can pounce on the lead and turn for home with a nice break. BLUE MAGIC OPAL (6) is better than his form reads, and he can really power to the line in his races, so if the top elect happens to find bother, he could be there to capitalise.

? $3 Win – TRICKITY CLICK
? Shepparton ? Race 1 ? Box 2 ? 385m ⏱ 6:53pm
TAB fixed odds: $3 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541429/race/1

The Watchdog says ? : TRICKITY CLICK (2) has been impressive since moving to Victoria and if he can step on terms, he should be able to hold the early lead and he may have a nice break as they turn for home. There are a couple of well bred types in the event, but they will need to be right on their game to beat him.

? $1 Trifecta – 3,5/3,5/1,4,7 (16.66%)
? Shepparton ? Race 9 ? 385m ⏱ 9:32pm                       ***Must Watch Race***
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541429/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : Great race and I expect FERNANDO BLUEY (3) and FERDINAND BOY (5) to go stride for stride and fight out the finish. Hopefully, we can get some value into third spot.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Sunday 4 July: $25.55 (+156%)
Friday 2 July: $17.73 (+77%)
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%)

Past 7 days: $88.87 for $70 invested (+27%)

Past 14 days: $157.18 for $140 invested (+12%)

Past 28 days: $349.52 for $280 (+25%)

? MONTH x MONTH 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.

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