Despite facing more decorated rivals, The Watchdog has selected Hill Top Jonah (14 from 27 – 4 from 7 Box 1) to register his seventh-straight victory in today’s $71,250 G2 SEN Track Healesville Cup final (350m).
The quickest of last Sunday’s six heat winners is not only contesting his first Group final, but also facing two superstars in the feature event of the Healesville Festival of Racing.
Dual G1 winner Tiggerlong Tonk (42 from 88 – 18.93sec PB) – lining up in his 22nd Group event – has won three of his last four races and was second to Aston Rupee in the recent G3 525m Speed Star at The Meadows.
If he is victorious in the $50,000 to-the-winner G2 final, Ferdinand Boy (26 from 48 – 19.00sec PB) will also collect a $50,000 bonus having already won two G2 country cups this calendar year – Shepparton and Ballarat – in March and April respectively.
Highway 31 Maiden Challenge winner Aston Merit (2 from 3) and litter sister Aston Geneve (6 from 6) must be respected despite their relative inexperience to Tiggerlong Tonk and Ferdinand Boy.
Invictus Ethan v G3 finalist Hennessey (8 from 19) v Anita Sonic Love (7 from 15 – 19.06sec PB) v Duncan (13 from 27) v G3 finalist Smart As Jack (6 from 12 Trk/Dst) should provide a great contest in the $7,000 to-the-winner Healesville Members Trophy final.
At Sandown Park, Group finalists Mepunga Katie and Aston Ulysses are set for a terrific duel, while Hugo v Aston Amigo (6 from 14) v Invictus Jaxson (4 from 9 Trk/Dst) should be intriguing.
Track specialist Omega Dodge (won last 4) v Dr. Madison v G3 finalist Gotham Duke (16 from 42) battle in the Sale 440m Free For All.
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: Group 2 SEN Track Healesville Cup Final
HILL TOP JONAH ? ASTON GENEVE ? FERDINAND BOY ? TIGGERLONG TONK
? Healesville ? Race 6 ? 350m ⏱ 12:29pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538956/race/6
The Watchdog says ?: What a cracking line-up we have for the premier straight track event in the land. TIGGERLONG TONK (6) just continues to amaze, and he is ready to tackle another feature race final. After missing the kick and finding bother in his heat, he was able to balance up and charge to the line and score. He has not fared well with the box draw again with MR. AMERICA (7) on his outside expected to look for the rail soon after box rise, so the champ will have to begin well and try to hold his position in the first 50m or so. You can never count him out, but he is going to need a few things to go his way. FERDINAND BOY (5) is already a two-time country cup winner, and he is looking to secure the $50,000 bonus for three country cups in a calendar year. The box draw is not great, but ‘Tonk’ will stay wide on the track and excitement machine ASTON GENEVE (4) will look to head to the rail, so he should get enough room to muster, and he will pour the pressure on early. He is better suited to a one turn track, but he has still put the time on the board here in recent weeks and he is a serious contender. HILL TOP JONAH (1) has been a revelation in recent weeks having won six-in-a-row here and on each occasion, he has rattled the clock. He consistently carves out around 6.45sec to the first marker and a repeat of that will see him settle on the pace with his kennel mate and with the potential to run sub 18.90sec, he is the one they have to beat. ASTON MERIT (2) could be the surprise packet having captured the rich Highway 31 maiden series here and he was enormous in his heat last week. He was desperate to find the inside in his heat and with ‘Jonah’ expected to lead, he should get a nice run through, and he could cause a minor upset. ASTON GENEVE (4) has gone six-of-six since kicking off her career and had she drawn closer to the rail, she would be a major player, however from the middle pin, she may have to work too hard in the initial stages.
Selections: 1 – 5 – 6 – 2
