G1 Topgun champion and Sandown Park 515m track record holder Aston Rupee is back at Sandown Park tonight for the first time since finishing fourth in the G1 TAB Melbourne Cup final.

Zambora Charlie and Levitation, both impressive last start winners at Sandown Park, clash in a Mixed 6/7 515m race to start the meeting.

The promising Aston Jonas is aiming to solidify his middle-distance credentials in a 595m Restricted Win final, while G1 Sale Cup reserve Invictus Rising is favoured to boost his strike rate in a Mixed 4/5 595m event.

At Shepparton this morning, G2 Laurels winner Idolize faces G3 Northern Districts Cup finalist Zigzag Cabang in a Mixed 4/5 385m race, which is the highlight duel of the card.

Today’s Racing

Shepparton: 9:02am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Healesville: 11:24am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Warragul: 6:27pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sandown Park: 6:57pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

IDOLIZE

Trainer: Peter Presutto
? Shepparton ? Race 7
? Box 8 ? 385m ⏱ 10:49am

Claim to fame:
– 1st Group 2 Laurels
– Won 7 from 14

TAB fixed odds: $2.40

The Watchdog says: No

INVICTUS RISING

Trainer: Garry Selkrig
? Sandown Park ? Race 6
? Box 7 ? 595m ⏱ 8:49pm

Claim to fame:
– Won 3 of last 4
– 33.84 PB Sandown Park 595m

TAB fixed odds: $2.60

The Watchdog says: Yes

ASTON RUPEE

Trainer: Glenn Rounds
? Sandown Park ? Race 8
? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 9:34pm

Claim to fame:
– 1st Group 1 Topgun
– 28.79 TR Sandown Park 515m

TAB fixed odds: $1.15

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Thursday 30 December

? $4 Multi

First ?: Place – BULL MONTANA
? Shepparton ? Race 6 ? Box 2 ? 450m ⏱ 10:32am
TAB fixed odds: $1.75 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540526/race/6

Second ?: Place – TED DO
? Healesville ? Race 7 ? Box 7 ? 350m ⏱ 1:12pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540531/race/7

Third ?: Win – FLETCH
? Healesville ? Race 12 ? Box 3 ? 300m ⏱ 2:49pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.50 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540531/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : BULL MONTANA (2) has turned in two smart performances of late and he should get a nice run through in the middle stages today. TED DO (7) loves racing up the straight and he will stay wide the journey, so a top-three finish looks likely. FLETCH (3) is a serious prospect and he should make light work of this line-up.

Multi price: $3.93

? $1 Trifecta – 1 / 3 / 2 (100%)

? Must Watch Race ?

Free For All

? Sandown Park ? Race 8
? 515m ⏱ 9:34pm

The Watchdog says ?: ASTON RUPEE (1) should hold the top early and he will be scoring. BOBBY THE BRUTE (3) can follow him through early and fill the quinella spot, while INVICTUS JAXSON (2) can take home the minor end of the money.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

ASTON RUPEE (1) has been luckless in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup final and TAB Phoenix, but from the inside draw tonight, he is expected to regain some much needed confidence. The only genuine early speed is with JUNK FOOD JUNKIE (7), so if ASTON RUPEE steps cleanly, he can run a 5.08sec to the first mark and that should see him just about hold the early lead and then it’s time to watch the clock. If he does hold the lead, a sub 29-second run should be on the cards. INVICTUS JAXSON (2) and BOBBY THE BRUTE (3) can battle it out for the minor end of the money.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540518/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 7

? $5 Win – MY MARGARITA
? Sandown Park ? Race 12 ? Box 6 ? 715m ⏱ 10:55pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.90 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540518/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : He really caught the eye at Sale two runs back when placed behind MEPUNGA RUBY and he was far from disgraced when finishing just outside the placings in the Group 1 Sale Cup final. He should get a nice sit in the early stages and with the smaller line-up, he should find it easy to navigate through the field and he will prove too strong in the run home.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Wednesday 29 December: $34.75 (+248%)
Tuesday 28 December: $26.30 (+163%)
Monday 27 December: $13 (+30%)
Sunday 26 December: $8.40 (-16%)
Friday 24 December: $8.10 (-19%)
Thursday 23 December: $9.10 (-9%)
Wednesday 22 December: $10.60 (+6%)

Past 7 days: $99.65 for $60 invested (+66%)
Past 14 days: $163.20 for $130 invested (+26%)
Past 28 days: $346.90 for $270 invested (+28%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

November 2021: $300.47 for $300 (Even)
October 2021: $311.40 for $310 (Even)
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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