Three-time G2 champion Ferdinand Boy faces G2 Geelong Gold Cup winner Weblec Jet and impressive heat winner Substantial in tonight’s $5,000 to-the-winner Warrnambool Star final.

Silver Brute is eyeing five straight wins in the $10,000 to-the-winner Warrnambool Summer Sizzle final, but Pink Diamond winner Diamond Ability and Orson Mick must be respected.

G2 Ballarat Cup runner-up Special Talent and G1 Harrison-Dawson placegetter Carry On Angel headline the 525m Free For All at The Meadows this evening, while G1 Hume Cup winner Knicks Bale stands out in a Mixed 4/5 600m race.

Today’s Racing

Cranbourne: 9:27am start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Warrnambool: 6:04pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

The Meadows: 6:37pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

KNICKS BALE

Trainer: Samantha Grenfell
? The Meadows ? Race 6
? Box 1 ? 600m ⏱ 8:17pm

Claim to fame:
– 1st Group 1 Hume Cup
– 60% top-three from 78 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2.30

The Watchdog says: Yes

FERDINAND BOY

Trainer: David Geall
? Warrnambool ? Race 8
? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 8:27pm

Claim to fame:
– Three-time Group 2 winner
– Won 8 from 11 Box 8

TAB fixed odds: $2.10

The Watchdog says: Yes

SPECIAL TALENT

Trainer: Michael Carter
? The Meadows ? Race 8
? Box 4 ? 525m ⏱ 9:00pm

Claim to fame:
– 2nd Group 2 Ballarat Cup
– 72% top-three from 39 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Saturday 8 January

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – MR. HOLYFIELD
? Warrnambool ? Race 1 ? Box 4 ? 450m ⏱ 6:04pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.45 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540038/race/1

Second ?: Place – ASTON PROFIT
? Warrnambool ? Race 9 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 8:46pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540038/race/9

Third ?: Place – BLAZING PENNY
? Warrnambool ? Race 12 ? Box 2 ? 390m ⏱ 9:51pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.70 Place (Top two finish required)
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540038/race/12

The Watchdog says ? : MR. HOLYFIELD (4) has been impressive to date, and he won’t get a better chance to break through. ASTON PROFIT (1) is flying at present, and she will set a cracking pace. The last 30m is a worry, but she should have enough in the tank for a top-two finish. BLAZING PENNY (2) is better than her form reads and she can come out running, so with a clean getaway, a top-two finish looks likely.

Multi price: $5.28

? $7 Win – FERDINAND BOY

? Must Watch Race ?

Warrnambool Star Final

? Warrnambool ? Race 8
? Box 8 ? 450m ⏱ 8:27pm

TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Win

The Watchdog says ?: FERDINAND BOY (8) is a star speedster who has been luckless of late and I’m expecting him to make amends tonight. He is armed with blistering pace soon after box rise and with no runner on his outside, he should avoid crowding and then assume control after around 50m.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

Great line-up and SUBSTANTIAL (5) is going to command plenty of respect after scoring here last Saturday night in an electrifying 24.86sec. The draw was a big advantage in his heat, so with the amount of depth in this event, he can’t afford to make any mistakes at box rise. Superstar FERDINAND BOY (8) has been luckless of late, and he is expected to make amends tonight. His box manners have not been great of late, however with no runner on his outside, he will get every chance to balance up and he should assume control soon after box rise. CRACKERJACK KEG (1) and ZEEBA’S LEGACY (2) are both racing well and have solid claims, while Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup champion WEBLEC JET (3) will be charging to the line.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666540038/race/8

The Watchdog’s selections: 8 – 5 – 1 – 2

Today’s News

GRACIE LEADS GIBBONS’ ‘AMAZING’ RISE
SILVER BRUTE ‘SIZZLES’ AT ‘THE BOOL’
TRACK GOERS REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AT ALL TIMES

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?

Friday 7 January: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 6 January: $12 (+20%)
Wednesday 5 January: $16.70 (+67%)
Tuesday 4 January: $0 (-100%)
Monday 3 January: $0 (-100%)
Sunday 2 January: $14.50 (+45%)
Saturday 1 January: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $43.20 for $70 invested (-38%)
Past 14 days: $153.99 for $130 invested (+18%)
Past 28 days: $326.32 for $270 invested (+21%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

December 2021: $384.82 for $300 (+28%)
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.

*Please gamble responsibly