The culmination of the inaugural Grassroots Regional Championship series takes place tonight at Ballarat with the $10,000 finals for the sprinters (450m) and stayers (660m).

The Watchdog has selected Avenger Lass (6 from 13 – 2 from 2 Box 8) to collect the $7,000 first prize in the Sprint Championship after winning the 450m Northern Region semi-final at Shepparton by over seven lengths.

Bolt Out (2 of last 3) and Winlock Mungo (won last 2) are considered the biggest dangers after their semi-final victories at Geelong (Central) and Warrnambool (Western) respectively.

Parzival (won last 2) is also a threat after claiming the 460m Eastern Region semi-final at Warragul.

Despite finishing second to Long Black Lass in the 680m Eastern Region heat at Warragul, Mt. View Emma is The Watchdog’s tip to secure the $7,000 winner’s cheque in the Distance Championship ahead of Mick’s Kimmy; runner-up to Crown Knox in the 650m Western Region heat at Warrnambool.

G1 Sandown Cup winner Zipping Rambo (17 from 36) – racing for the first time since July 17 – v G2 placegetter Jarick Bale v Angus Rhode (10 from 24) v G3 winner Barooga Smoke (15 from 35) should provide a fascinating contest.

Collinda Beast (11 from 25 – 3 from 4 Box 3), Toby Castle (3 from 5) and Ultimate Avenger (3 from 5 Trk/Dst – 21.72sec PB) are expected to enhance their respective strike rates.

At The Meadows, Group finalists Bounce Back and Fernando Frank face the promising Mystify Kick (4 of last 7) in the Mixed 4/5 600m race.

Pink Diamond Champion Short Course (425m) finalist Dr. Knuckles is favoured to stretch his winning streak to four races in a 311m Free For All at Cranbourne, but track specialist Heidi will be a formidable rival.

Last start winner Swarm (2 from 4 Box 3) headlines the Tier 3 meeting at Bendigo this evening.

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: Grassroots Regional Sprint Championship Final

BOLT OUT ? WINLOCK MUNGO ? AVENGER LASS

? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? 450m ⏱ 8:18pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/5

The Watchdog says ?: It is the first edition of the rich Grassroots Championships and both the sprint and staying events see some high-class chasers engaged. AVENGER LASS (8) has always shown enormous potential; however, her form and confidence had tapered off at the end of her last preparation. She did not have a lot of luck when resuming at Ballarat, however she has made a big impression in her two subsequent runs when scoring at Bendigo in a sizzling 23.83sec and at Shepparton in a dynamic 25.10sec. She is two-of-two from this draw and with an even getaway, she should be able to light them up soon after box rise. WINLOCK MUNGO (5) is another who had struggled for a while, but he has a new lease on life having won his past two in dominant fashion. The box draw has not done him any favours; however, he does have a tremendous turn of foot and he has speared the lids in his past two. With another good getaway, he should be in the mix throughout and he will make the favourite work hard throughout. ABBY’S STAR (7) and COCO’S HOT (9) are another two runners who are racing with confidence, and they must be respected, whilst the most intriguing runner has to be BOLT OUT (2). He is so unreliable at box rise and he will want to hook wide, but he has an unrivalled turn of foot from the 40m to 150m mark and if the gaps open, he can put himself into contention.

Selections:  8 – 5 – 7 – 2

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Wednesday 22 September

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – BEN MAYO
? The Meadows ? Race 2 ? Box 1 ? 525m ⏱ 11:46am
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/2

Second ?: Win – WESTERN BLAZER
? The Meadows ? Race 3 ? Box 8 ? 525m ⏱ 12:05pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.55 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/3

Third ?: Bundle Bet – 1,2,5
? The Meadows ? Race 5 ? Boxes 1,2 & 5 ? 525m ⏱ 12:46pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.29 Win (Any one of the three selections to win)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : BEN MAYO (1) announced himself as a potential star last time and there should be no excuses from the red today. WESTERN BLAZER (8) looks very well graded and should be leading throughout. SIXTIES ROCKER (1) has the class edge and should be winning; however, we have included the strong MY DEWANA PENNY (2) and promising OBERON BALE (5) just to be safe.

Multi price: $2.99

? $1 Win – INKA BALE     ? Lucky Longshot ?
? $1 Win – RIPPLEBROOK GLEN     ? Lucky Longshot ?
? The Meadows ? Race 6 ? Boxes 1 & 2 ? 525m ⏱ 1:05pm
TAB fixed odds: $6.50 Win (Inka Bale)
TAB fixed odds: $10 Win (Ripplebrook Glen)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : ONE NIGHT ONLY (4) and KASEMI (6) hold the class edge today, however INKA BALE (1) is the best beginner and she should have no trouble holding the top at the bend and if that occurs, RIPPLEBROOK GLEN (2) should be able to muster through at the bend and they can head to the back straight in the top two spots. The last 50m is a slight concern, however I am expecting the middle division to bunch up at the bend and that will be a significant difference maker.

? $3 Multi

First ?: Place – BOUNCE BACK
? The Meadows ? Race 8 ? Box 2 ? 600m ⏱ 1:47pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/8

Second ?: Place – BLAZER GLORY
? The Meadows ? Race 10 ? Box 2 ? 525m ⏱ 2:29pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.80 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/10

Third ?: Bundle Bet – 2,6
? The Meadows ? Race 11 ? Boxes 2 & 6 ? 525m ⏱ 2:50pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.37 (Any one of the two selections to win)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538983/race/11

The Watchdog says ? : BOUNCE BACK (2) is ultra-consistent, and he should be able to pounce on the early lead and he will prove hard to reel in. BLAZER GLORY (2) was luckless last time out and he should find this event a lot easier, with an ounce of luck early, he should be able to finish in the top two. WEBLEC GEM (2) has gone up favourite and she is expected to figure prominently, however I am a huge fan of CRABBY YABBY (6), so we have included her to be safe

Multi price: $3.69

? $1 Exacta – 8 / 1,3,7,9 (25%)
? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? 450m ⏱ 8:18pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : AVENGER LASS (8) has been enormous in her past two and she should be winning. BOLT OUT (2) and WINLOCK MUNGO (5) are the other main fancies and must be respected, however both can miss the kick at times, so we have gone wide for second in the hope of securing some value.

? $1 Multi

First ?: Win – AVENGER LASS
? Ballarat ? Race 5 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 8:18pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
TAB fixed odds: $1.55 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/5

Second ?: Place – MICK’S KIMMY
? Ballarat ? Race 6 ? Box 1 ? 660m ⏱ 8:38pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.95 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/6

Third ?: Place – EL CAZADOR
? Ballarat ? Race 7 ? Box 4 ? 545m ⏱ 8:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/7

Fourth ?: Place – ANGUS RHODE
? Ballarat ? Race 8 ? Box 3 ? 450m ⏱ 9:22pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.60 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538985/race/8

The Watchdog says ? : AVENGER LASS (8) has a fair bit on her rivals, and she really does look the goods. MICK’S KIMMY (1) can run all day and she might be able to sneak into the minor end of the money at value. EL CAZADOR (4) has been huge in his past two at Geelong and he will appreciate the rise in distance. ANGUS RHODE (3) runs into a few good ones, but he is a jet in his own right and he will set a cracking pace. The last 50m is a slight concern, but he should be able to hold on for a top three finish.

Multi price: $7.01

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Tuesday 21 September: $13.78 (+38%)
Monday 20 September: $5 (-50%)
Sunday 19 September: $9 (-10%)
Saturday 18 September: $6 (-40%)
Friday 17 September: $3.30 (-67%)
Thursday 16 September: $4.40 (-56%)
Wednesday 15 September: $7.20 (-28%)

Past 7 days: $48.68 for $70 invested (-30%)
Past 14 days: $68.61 for $140 invested (-51%)
Past 28 days: $179.02 for $280 invested (-36%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

August 2021: $262.63 for $310 (-15%)
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