Young gun Paua Of Buddy (3 from 5) is expected to seriously test the clock at Ballarat tonight.

Steve White’s potential rock star owns a stunning 25.49sec win over 460m at Warragul, and The Watchdog expects him to return to the winner’s list in dominant fashion.

Also at Ballarat, a fascinating clash awaits between Rilynn Bale (31 from 63) v Quintana Bale (4 from 6 Trk/Dis), while superbly bred first starters Amnesty and In The Spotlight – both in the hands of Jason Thompson – will be watched with great interest.

Amnesty is a younger half-sister of last week’s G1 Brisbane Cup winner Equalizer (20 from 46) and retired dual G1 winner Black Opium (29 from 61).

In the Spotlight is a litter brother of ‘next big thing’ Rebellious (9 from 11), who won The Prospector at Bendigo in a near-TR 23.42sec.

Thompson also has revitalised speedster Collinda Beast (3 of past 4) engaged at Cranbourne tonight.

And at The Meadows today, Bobby The Brute (Geelong Cup and Sale Cup placegetter) continues his successful comeback, facing off with Utah Express (29.79sec PB).

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: GAP Grade 5

PAUA OF BUDDY ? The Clock

? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? 450m ? Box 2 ⏱ 8:22pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541463/race/5

The Watchdog says ?: We saw excitement machine Rebellious blow up the clock at Warragul last night and potential megastar PAUA OF BUDDY (2) is expected to produce something similar tonight at Ballarat. He comes into this having won three races at Warragul and in each of those wins he has carved out breathtaking sectionals. With the scratching of the red, he essentially has box one now and that should allow him to pounce on the lead and gain a relatively clear run initially and, if the track is good condition, he could potential go sub 24.90sec. He is not expected to be much of a betting proposition, so punters may want to anchor him in their quaddies and exotics. TIBERIA BALE (8) is a former star chaser and although down on confidence, he will be strong in the run home and could fill the quinella spot. BOOM OUT (7) is a promising pup who is armed with a slick turn of foot. He can pour some pressure on the top elect in the middle stages, but he will get tired in the run home.

Selections:  2 – 8 – 7 – 4

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Wednesday 14 July

? $4 Multi

First ?: Place – BOBBY THE BRUTE
? Meadows ? Race 4 ? Box 4 ? 525m ⏱ 1:12pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.20 Place  (top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541461/race/4

Second ?: Place – KANJI GIANT
? Ballarat ? Race 10 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 10:06pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541463/race/10

Third ?: Place – LORETTA BALE
? Ballarat ? Race 12 ? Box 1 ? 390m ⏱ 10:42pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541463/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : BOBBY THE BRUTE (4) has returned to racing in fine style, and he will appreciate the smaller line-up today. KANJI GIANT (8) is a promising pup and he was impressive here two runs back. With an even getaway, he can burn them off at the bend and figure in the finish. LORETTA BALE (1) is normally a reliable beginner and from the inside draw she is expected to hold a prominent spot at the bend and a top three finish looks likely.

Multi price: $2.35

? $2 Quaddie – 3.70% (54 combinations)
? Meadows ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 1:32pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541461/race/5

?: 2,4,6

? ?: 1,2,6

? ? ?: 4,6,8

? ? ? ?: 1,6

The Watchdog says ? : First leg is on the bend start over 600m, so hopefully one of our three selections can head past the post the first time in front. MAJOR GIBLET (1) and BEES AND HONEY (6) should control the second leg for most of the journey, but OVERFLOW LISA (2) will be very strong in the run home. Very keen on WEST OF WESTEROS (8) in the third leg, but she can be hit or miss early, so we have included ARIZONA GOLD (4) and CODE BLUE SUE (6). BLACK HAWK JET (1) and MASSIMO (6) should have a great battle throughout in the last leg.

? $2 Win – FREYA BALE
? Cranbourne ? Race 3 ? Box 7 ? 311m ⏱ 7:28pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.60 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541464/race/3

The Watchdog says ? : FREYA BALE (7) has been super impressive to date, and she has proven to be a near-faultless beginner. Her initial sectionals at other tracks suggest that she will be suited to the 311m journey, and if she gets around the first bend unscathed she should prove too classy in the run home.

? $2 Trifecta – 2 / 8 / 4,7 (100%)
? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? 450m ⏱ 8:22pm                              ***Must Watch Race***
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541463/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : PAUA OF BUDDY (2) should rock the clock and win comfortably, whilst TIBERIA BALE (8) may be able to regain some confidence and run home into second spot. BOOM OUT (7) will be on the speed throughout but may get a little tired, so we have included DUNDEE JESTER (4) for third at some value.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Tuesday 13 July: $19.74 (+97%)
Monday 12 July: $20.30 (+103%)
Sunday 11 July: $10.90 (+9%)
Saturday 10 July: $6 (-40%)
Friday 9 July: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 8 July: $0 (-100%)
Wednesday 7 July: $8.40 (-16%)

Past 7 days: $65.34 for $70 invested (-7%)

Past 14 days: $186.66 for $140 invested (+33%)

Past 28 days: $328.18 for $280 invested (+17%)

? 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.

*Please gamble responsibly