Aptly named Rocket Boy (25 from 49) is set to soar into the sprinting stratosphere at Shepparton tonight.

Prepared by Lisa Delbridge, Rocket Boy (3 of past 3) will be ‘burning out his fuse’ in Race 8 at 9.25pm.

One race earlier (9.03pm), it’s a case of who ‘makes off’ with the bragging rights in a speedy clash between the Mark Delbridge-trained kennelmates Man Absconded (23 from 63 – 21.45sec PB) v Rilynn Bale (31 from 67).

And in Race 9 (9.44pm), Bendigo Roses finalist Aston Flame (6 from 10) – a litter sister of superstars Aston Rupee and Aston Fastnet – should ‘light the flame’.

Meanwhile, in Race 4 (3.27pm) at Cranbourne today, we’ll discover if debutant Zipping Gomez (24 months) – a younger half-brother of G1 Sandown Cup winner Zipping Rambo – is a potential ‘action hero’.

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: www.victoolshop.com Mixed 4/5

ROCKET BOY ? The Clock

? Shepparton ? Race 8 ? 450m ⏱ 9:25pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538424/race/8

The Watchdog says ?: ROCKET BOY (6) is very well named chaser, and he has scored some scintillating wins in recent months. Two runs back he gave the magical 25 seconds barrier a nudge at Ballarat, and he followed that performance up with a dashing 25.74sec Geelong win. His biggest asset is his scorching pace once he leaves the mat, so with a vacant draw on his inside, he should get enough room to work through the gears initially and if he finds the top early, he might go close to breaking 25 seconds. ZIPPING VERNON (8) has turned in some big performances since moving to Victoria and he is expected to sprint well after a freshen up. He can be a little slow to begin, but he does pick himself up quickly and from the favourable draw, he should work into the turn in the top three early and will be very strong in the run home. JODIE’S BOY (1) and DUCKY’S DELIGHT (3) both love racing around this circuit and with some luck, they can make an impact, whilst the promising AUSPICIOUS QUEEN (4) is expected to be thereabouts.

Selections:  6 – 8 – 4 – 1

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
?  Monday 2 August

? $2 Quaddie – 2.77% (72 combinations)
? Warrnambool ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 11:54pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538426/race/5

?: 6,7
? ?: 4,5,6,8
? ? ?: 1,3,8
? ? ? ?: 1,7,8

The Watchdog says ? : WHY NOT LUV (6) and ED DEEDS (7) are expected to dominate the first leg. The second leg is quite open, so we have gone wide, whilst in the third leg we have gone for a mix of speed and strength. The last leg are all on-speed runners, so fingers crossed one of them can get through the bend on top and go on to victory.

? $2 Win – POWDER BURN
? Warrnambool ? Race 10 ? Box 7 ? 390m ⏱ 1:24pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538426/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : Her form does not read well on paper; however she has been taking on much stronger company of late and will appreciate the drop in class today. She is armed with handy early speed, and she will stay wide in the initial stages, so with an even getaway, she can negotiate the turn in a prominent spot and may prove too strong in the run home.

? $4 Multi

First ?: Place – ZIPPING BAMBI
? Ballarat ? Race 6 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 4:28pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538423/race/6

Second ?: Place – FORBIDDEN LOVE
? Ballarat ? Race 8 ? Box 2 ? 450m ⏱ 5:12pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538423/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : ZIPPING BAMBI (8) has been racing well in similar company of late and from the outside draw she should gain a relatively clear passage throughout, and a top three finish is on the cards. FORBIDDEN LOVE (2) is better than her past few runs and she has done her best racing from this draw. With a slow beginner on her inside, she should be able to clear the red initially and settle in the top three as they head into the bend. She has a few quick wins to her credit, so a big showing is expected.

Multi price: $3.05

? $1 Quaddie – 25% (4 combinations)
? Shepparton ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 8:22pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538424/race/5

?: 4,8
? ?: 8
? ? ?: 1,2
? ? ? ?: 6

? $1 Quaddie – 33.33% (3 combinations)
? Shepparton ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 8:22pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538424/race/5

?: 8
? ?: 8
? ? ?: 1,2,5
? ? ? ?: 6

The Watchdog says ? : ASTON AMIGO (8) is a serious prospect and I expect him to land the first leg, however we have included RAHIM BALE (4) in one of the quaddies to be safe. RELOADED (8) is a jet and should be winning the second leg, whilst MAN ABSCONDED (1) and RILYNN BALE (2) should dominate the third leg, however we have included GUNAI REBEL (5) in one of the quaddies. ROCKET BOY (6) is in scintillating form at present and should bring us home in the last leg.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?
Sunday 01 August: $13.28 (+33%)
Saturday 31 July: $0 (-100%)
Friday 30 July: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 29 July: $15.11 (+51%)
Wednesday 28 July: $7.20 (-28%)
Tuesday 27 July: $6.35 (-37%)
Monday 26 July: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $41.94 for $70 invested (-40%)

Past 14 days: $110.19 for $140 Invested (-21%)

Past 28 days: $268.18 for $280 Invested (-4%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

July 2021: $309.18 for $300 (+3%)
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