The flurry of recent feature racing continues at Shepparton this evening with five heats of the Group 3 Northern Districts Cup (450m) taking place.

The first heat features My Name’s Stacey (4 from 5), G3 Great Chase finalist Reloaded, Combust (6 from 15) and recent Bendigo Battlers Cup winner Lembor (won last 3).

In The Spotlight (5 from 9) v Aston Flame (8 from 17 – 2 from 2 Trk/Dst) v Mepunga Gertie (2 from 3 Trk/Dst) v Mister Frank (3 of last 4) will be a hotly-contested second heat, while Zigzag Cabang (4 from 8) and Sambar Chief highlight the third heat.

G3 Great Chase finalist True Collinda (6 from 14) and Security Man (9 from 19 – 3 of last 4) should provide a terrific duel in the fourth heat, while Mania v Studley v Aston Komuni (2 from 3 Trk/Dst – 2 from 2 Box 8) battle in the fifth heat.

G2 finalist and former track record holder Oriental Amber (7 from 9 Box 1 – 21.35sec PB) and dual G2 Shepparton Cup finalist Benchester (2 of last 4 – 21.42sec PB) headline the 385m Free For All, while Devine Empress (2 from 2), Whodat Diva and G3 winner Jazz Opera should all prevail according to The Watchdog.

At Sandown Park, Count Me In v Zarate (2 from 3 Box 2) v Liquid Crystal (won last 2) feature in the $6,000 to-the-winner Special Event final (515m), while Zipping Sense (3 from 5 Box 1) v Loxton Bale (3 from 6) v King Of Glory (9 from 22) should be a great clash.

The Watchdog is confident that Aston Wise (won last 2), Dundee Hornet and Kasemi will all boost their respective strike rates as well.

Don’t Argue Love and last start winner Edge Serena are both expected to triumph at Warrnambool, while Aston Burton, Spitfire Striker and Madlenka should all win at Ballarat.

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: Northern Districts Cup Heat 1

MY NAME’S STACEY ? RELOADED ? COMBUST

? Shepparton ? Race 5 ? 450m ⏱ 8:14pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/5

The Watchdog says ?: Another terrific series coming up and the first heat is an absolute cracker with three gifted chasers going into battle. MY NAME’S STACEY (1) is likely to be the punters elect and rightly so on the back of four blistering wins on the spin. She has proven to be very reliable early in her brief career and she appears to be getting stronger with every run. I’m expecting her to lead tonight and although she is capable of carving out time, this is her toughest test to date and with the pressure expected to be applied mid race, she could be vulnerable. RELOADED (2) is the second pick in the market, however he is my pick in the race. He has had three runs since resuming from a spell and he has been huge in two of those. With MY NAME’S STACEY expected to hold the lead, he should be able to use his dynamic mid race pace to advantage and rail through at the bend and assume control as they corner for home. With the potential to go sub 25 seconds, they will have a hard time holding him out. COMBUST (4) rounds out the serious winning chances. He can be a little hit or miss early but he has some quick wins to his credit and with the empty draw on his outside, he should get every chance to put himself into contention at the bend. PAINT PEELER (7) is the value runner in the event. She gets back early in her races and will rely on luck, however she does have a decent motor and if the main fancies happen to bump up front, she could be close enough as they reach the business end.

Selections:  2 – 1 – 4 – 7

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 25 October

? $3.50 Multi

First ?: Win – DUNDEE HORNET
? Sandown Park ? Race 7 ? Box 2 ? 515m ⏱ 5:25pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/717619875/race/7

Second ?: Win – WHODAT DIVA
? Shepparton ? Race 3 ? Box 2 ? 650m ⏱ 7:34pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.60 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/3

Third ?: Place – MANIA
? Shepparton ? Race 9 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 9:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.40 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : DUNDEE HORNET (2) has been luckless since coming to town and he is expected to make amends today. He is armed with terrific muster and with limited early pace on either side, he should be leading throughout. WHODAT DIVA (2) beat a classy line-up last week and she will take a power of beating tonight, whilst MANIA (1) is a near faultless beginner and she should turn for home with a nice break, so a top two finish looks likely.

Multi price: $5.15

? $3 Win – RELOADED
? Shepparton ? Race 5 ? Box 2 ? 450m ⏱ 8:14pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
TAB fixed odds: $3.20 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : He has been brilliant in two of his three runs since resuming and he appears drawn to get the gun run throughout. MY NAME’S STACEY (1) is expected to lead; however, she is yet to feel pressure mid race in her career to date and I think she will crack when RELOADED (2) measures up as they turn for home.

? $1 Win – MEPUNGA GERTIE     ? Lucky Longshot ?
? Shepparton ? Race 6 ? Box 5 ? 450m ⏱ 8:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $14 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : She is taking on some talented types, but we know she is up to this level when at her best. She carved out a sizzling 21.67sec here three runs back and with ASTON FLAME (4) expected to ping the lids and look for the fence, she should get a nice run into the race. She will have to be at her best to score, however at the $14 she is worth a nibble.

? $2.50 Win – SAMBAR CHIEF
? Shepparton ? Race 7 ? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 8:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $4.20 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539106/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : ZIGZAG CABANG (1) is a serious prospect and is expected to lead for a long way, however SAMBAR CHIEF (8) is a powerful type and from the good draw, he should get every chance to settle a little closer than normal. There is a bit of speed drawn underneath, so I am expecting the inside and middle division to crowd and that will allow him to get into a threatening position as they enter the bend, and he will be very strong in the run home.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Sunday 24 October: $16.70 (+67%)
Saturday 23 October: $21.20 (+112%)
Friday 22 October: $25.24 (+152%)
Thursday 21 October: $0 (-100%)
Wednesday 20 October: $0 (-100%)
Tuesday 19 October: $0 (-100%)
Monday 18 October: $15.40 (+54%)

Past 7 days: $78.54 for $70 invested (+12%)
Past 14 days: $151.09 for $140 invested (+8%)
Past 28 days: $287.07 for $280 invested (+3%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

September 2021: $220.69 for $300 (-26%)
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.

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