The Watchdog is tipping rising star Panama Canal to turn the tables on country cups king Ferdinand Boy in the $126,500 Group Listed Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter Final (450m), one of the headline events on Friday’s massive Pink Diamond finals night at Ballarat.
Ferdinand Boy and Panama Canal staged a stirring duel in the Shepparton heat, with Ferdinand Boy coming from behind to claim a remarkable 47th career victory and bring Panama Canal’s 12-race winning streak to an end.
“I thought Panama Canal was brilliant at Shepparton last time.”
– THE WATCHDOG
Ferdinand Boy – third in last year’s Champion Short Course Final in the inaugural Pink Diamond series, is TAB’s $2.30 favourite to secure the $86,250 first prize (which includes an $11,250 breeders bonus) after receiving Box 1.
However, The Watchdog believes the $3.10 on offer about Panama Canal is a “really good bet”.
“I thought Panama Canal was brilliant at Shepparton last time,” said The Watchdog.
“I know he was beaten by Ferdinand Boy, but he lost a little bit of momentum through the first turn when he clipped heels and he’s just got that tremendous turn of foot. I reckon he can steal probably two lengths on the turn and that could be the difference.”
The Watchdog’s $20 spend
Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter
$10 on Panama Canal to win at $3.10
$10 Trifecta on 1,6 / 1,2,4,6,7 / 1,2,3,4,6,7 (31.25% return)
** Panama Canal was $3.60 when The Watchdog recorded his preview **
In the first of the three Pink Diamond Champion finals, the Short Course event (390m), The Watchdog has great respect for warm favourite Kepal, winner of 19 from 30 and his last six in a row, but he is siding with $4 chance Silver Brute, which has won 12 from 20 and three from three at Ballarat.
“Kepal is going to take a power of beating but I think the $2.15 (at time of recording) is a bit skinny. I’m going with Silver Brute. He’s got that amazing turn of foot and he keeps getting better and better.”
The Watchdog’s $20 spend
Pink Diamond Champion Short Course
$12 on Silver Brute to win at $4
$8 on Luca’s Jebrynah to win at $8.50
** Silver Brute was $5 and Luca’s Jebrynah was $9 when The Watchdog recorded his preview **
The Watchdog is also taking on the favourite in the Champion Distance Final (660m), believing Box 6 could prevent Collinda Patty from claiming a second Pink Diamond crown after securing the Challenger Sprinter title last year.
“She (Collinda Patty) is clearly the most talented greyhound in the race, but Box 6 is a big key,” he said.
“It’s not an ideal draw, she’s going to need a lot of luck. She is good enough to overcome it but at even-money ($2 at time of recording) I’d rather sit out.”
The Watchdog’s $20 spend
Pink Diamond Champion Distance
$10 on Greysynd Shock to place at $4.20
$10 Trifecta on 3,6,8 / 2,3,6,8 / 1,2,3,5,6,8 (27.77% return)
PINK DIAMOND CHAMPION SPRINTER FINAL (450m)
Ballarat Race 8, Friday 9:28pm
Total prizemoney $126,500 (First prize $86,250)
1 FERDINAND BOY (David Geall, Lara VIC)
2 EL CAZADOR (Tracey Deglaitis, Moolap VIC) ?
3 GYPSY YANKEE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
4 RUFIANO (Ricky Jarvis, Tyers VIC)
5 REVOLUTION (Harry Manolitsis, Lysterfield South VIC)
6 PANAMA CANAL (Jess Hopkins, Junction Village VIC)
7 PLAN AHEAD (Angela Langton, Anakie VIC)
8 ULTIMATE AVENGER (Joe Borg, Maryborough VIC)
Reserves
9 IDOLIZE SCRATCHED
10 ZIPPY TESLA SCRATCHED
Click HERE for TAB’s latest Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter Final market
PINK DIAMOND CHAMPION SHORT COURSE FNL (390m)
Ballarat Race 5, Friday 8:20pm
Total prizemoney $126,500 (First prize $86,250)
1 BUMPY’S DAD ROY (Gary Cowcher, Broadford VIC)
2 SILVER BRUTE (Gary Peach, Cape Clear VIC) ?
3 KEPAL (John Barbara, Exford VIC)
4 ELMO ROSE (Jeff Chignell, Rosedale VIC)
5 KEY EVIDENCE (Michael Dewan, Frankston North VIC)
6 LUCA’S JEBRYNAH (Bryan Sykes, Upper Beaconsfield VIC)
7 KISS YOUR LIPS (Jessica Sharp, Avalon VIC)
8 ASTON MERIT (Jessica Sharp, Avalon VIC)
Reserves
9 CLANDESTINE SCRATCHED
10 ORSON MICK SCRATCHED
Click HERE for TAB’s latest Pink Diamond Champion Short Course Final market
PINK DIAMOND CHAMPION DISTANCE FINAL (660m)
Ballarat Race 6, Friday 8:42pm
Total prizemoney $126,500 (First prize $86,250)
1 GALLOPING SPEED (Robert Conway, Bunyip VIC)
2 GREYSYND SHOCK (Michael Chilcott, Heathcote VIC)
3 ASTON VELVET (Michelle Mallia, Avalon VIC) ?
4 MANILA DUSK (Aaron Debattista, Toolleen VIC)
5 ASTON JONAS (Ian Garland, Longlea VIC)
6 COLLINDA PATTY (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
7 GOLDEN RATIO (Andrew Broadley, Aspendale VIC)
8 GOLDEN QUEST (Michelle Mallia, Avalon VIC)
Reserves
9 TOBIN FROST SCRATCHED
10 COURTEOUS REIKO SCRATCHED
Click HERE for TAB’s latest Pink Diamond Champion Distance Final market
One of Australia’s leading greyhound racing journalists since 2000 with the Greyhound Recorder and now with Greyhound Racing Victoria. Part-owner 2013 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Sheikha. (The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of GRV)
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