The scratching of G3 Healesville Cup hero Zambora Lou opens the gateway for a classic clash between Dr. Tucker (winner G3 Great Chase) v Mr. Fix It (G3 Cup Night Sprint finalist) in today’s Winter Cup final.
Dr. Tucker (3 from 4 Trk/Dst) has a sizzling 18.84sec PB up Healesville’s 350m straight track, while Mr. Fix It (3 from 6 Box 6) stunned the Jason Thompson-trained Zambora Lou in a heat last week.
But maestro Thompson still has former Ballarat track record holder Pirate Pete (18.94sec PB) in the $5000 to-the-winner event, while reserve Hello George (17 from 32) must also be respected along with The Watchdog’s top pick Mepunga Knight (13 from 31).
It’s a sensational card, as Healesville’s Festival of Racing continues, and another magical match-up is Duncan (8 from 13 Trk/Dst – 16.50sec PB) v Jordanville Jet (6 from 7 Trk/Dst – 16.57sec) in a Free For All (300m), while in the last of the day Sneaky Mojo is going for five straight wins.
Meanwhile, ‘fate’ is in the paws of Kuro Kismet (winner G3 Launching Pad & 29.18sec PB) this afternoon at Sandown Park, and watch for emerging star Perfect Product (3 of past 5).
And, at Sale tonight, Handsome Jack is chasing five straight wins, while the head-to-head between Jayville Slick (G1 Galaxy finalist) and Highly Explosive (G3 Speed Star finalist) is packed with TNT!
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: Winter Cup Final
DR. TUCKER ? MR. FIX IT ? PIRATE PETE ? HELLO GEORGE
? Healesville ? Race 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:30pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541451/race/6
The Watchdog says ?: Cracking line-up and with some of the big guns poorly drawn, there may be a boil over. DR. TUCKER (5) was a scorching 19.02sec heat winner last week and he deserves to be favourite, however with a keen railer in MR. FIX IT (6) drawn on his outside, there may be some bumping in the initial stages and that may be crucial to both their chances. Both of those runners were brilliant though last week, so if they happen to gain a clear passage, they will finish prominently. PIRATE PETE (8) has been a tad disappointing of late, but he has come up with a decent draw and if there is some crowding in the middle, he should be balanced early enough to assume control and capitalise. Track specialist HELLO GEORGE (9) has been fortunate enough to gain a run from box two and he will be looking to atone for his luckless heat run. He is obviously meeting a few topliners here, but he is the premier straight tracker in the country, and he warrants respect. MEPUNGA KNIGHT (1) and UNTESTED (3) are the value runners for mine. The ‘Knight’ had his first look at the track last week and he will be much better for the run. We all know he can bust the clock when in the clear, whilst the three was huge behind ‘Tucker’ last week and he appears to have gone to another level in his six runs this year. It should be a thrilling affair, and, in all honesty, any one of the eight runners could win without surprising.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 8 – 9
