Nike Apache (The Meadows 29.97sec winner) and Photo Man (Sandown Park 29.47sec winner) are showing plenty of promise early in their careers and will clash in a Restricted Win heat (460m) at Warragul tonight.

Earthworm Jim (4 from 8) v Just Like Mick v Jazzy Minter (4 of last 5) and Dundee Hornet (2 from 3 Trk/Dst) v High End (2 from 3) v Minter Edition should be competitive Restricted Win heats (460m), while Specialty (2 from 2 Trk/Dst) is expected to dominate.

Coolant (15 from 30 – 4 from 7 Box 3) v Rufiano (3 from 4 Trk/Dst) v G1 finalist Earn The Answers (5 from 8 Box 8), Throw Caution v Mr. Neo (3 of last 5) and Isolating (9 from 17) v Dr. Slats (5 from 10) will all be terrific contests.

Multiple Group finalist Dream Wizard (won last 3) v Money Owes (4 from 6) v Master Avenger v G3 finalist Gotham Duke v Starlight Tyson (won last 2) and Dark Compass v Braith Bale v Trending Air (2 of last 3) should be tough battles to predict at Bendigo.

Got A Trump (3 of last 5) v Soda Titan v Aubameyang (4 from 8 Box 6) should be a close affair, while the in-form Baby Talk (10 from 19) faces Amazonian Queen, Quintana Bale and White Flower (3 from 4 Box 8).

The Watchdog believes Ultimate Avenger (2 of last 3) and On The Bit (7 from 10) will be victorious in their respective races.

Dual G2 winner Yozo Bale, Pink Diamond (425m) winner Aussie Secret (29 from 57 – 6 from 10 Box 4) plus Group finalists Hennessey, Got The Torque and Fortuna Bale clash at Geelong, while Usman Bale and Jen Jumbo Prawn (3 of last 5) should both prevail.

In the Tier 3 meeting at Healesville, American Missile, Still Got Time (placed last 4) and Balmoral are all tipped to triumph.

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: Warragul To Sandown Park (1-4 Wins) Heat 4

PHOTO MAN ? NIKE APACHE

? Warragul ? Race 10 ? 460m ⏱ 9:57pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539115/race/10

The Watchdog says ?: We get to see two of Victoria’s brightest prospects go head to head tonight and with the scratching of ZHENG (2), both runners should gain a clear passage throughout. NIKE APACHE (3) has only won two-of-seven to date, but those wins have been in sizzling times, and he has turned in some big performances in defeat. His box manners can be a little hit or miss early but he has dynamic pace once balanced and with the potential to carve out around 25.60sec, he is going to take a power of beating. PHOTO MAN (1) kicked off his career with two impressive performances up the straight and he then followed that up with a dominant 29.47sec Sandown Park win. He went through the first marker in a slick 5.08sec and a similar performance tonight should see him just about hold the early lead. NIKE APACHE (3) will dial up the pressure mid race, so he will have to dig deep to get the cash. It should be keenly contested throughout but I think NIKE APACHE (3) will have a slight edge as they reach the line. LADY ROZINA HOOK (4) and GOLDEN RATIO (8) are both talented types, however they have drawn poorly, so they may have to settle for the minor end of the money.

Selections:  3 – 1 – 8 – 4

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Friday 29 October

? $4 Win – USMAN BALE
? Geelong ? Race 6 ? Box 4 ? 460m ⏱ 4:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.20 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539120/race/6

The Watchdog says ? : He has been racing with great confidence of late and with an ounce of luck early, he should be triumphant. He finds himself in a race which features a number of slow beginners, so with an even getaway, he should be able to burst through and assume control straight away and I’m expecting him to turn for home with a big break.

? $4 Win – MEPUNGA BUNDY
? Geelong ? Race 9 ? Box 8 ? 460m ⏱ 5:58pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.90 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539120/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : Highly promising speedster and he is expected to make amends for his two luckless runs of late. He recorded a smart 26.09sec debut win here earlier this month and he showed a slick turn of foot in the initial stages on that occasion, and he wanted to get to the outside of the track. So, from the favourable draw, he should get a nice run into the bend, and he can zip away as they turn for home.

? $2 Trifecta – 3 / 1 / 4,8 (100%)
? Warragul ? Race 10 ? 460m ⏱ 9:57pm     ? Must Watch Race ?
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666539115/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : NIKE APACHE (3) is an absolute jet, and he should prove too strong for PHOTO MAN (1) in the closing stages. There isn’t much between LADY ROZINA HOOK (4) and GOLDEN RATIO (8), so we have included both of them for third.

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