Yankee a dandy Diamond fancy: The Watchdog

Wandering Eyes · June 17, 2021

Form expert The Watchdog is tipping a huge upset in Friday night’s first ever Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter final (500m) at Bendigo, boldly selecting Andrea Dailly’s Gypsy Yankee against three of the biggest names in greyhound racing.

The headline acts in the Champion Sprinter showdown are joint $2.50 favourites Shima Shine (box 1) and Aston Rupee (2) along with Catch The Thief (3) at $5.50 but the Watchdog believes the inside boxes may bring the superstar trio undone.

“To be honest they all look poorly drawn,” said the Watchdog.

“There’s a stack of speed in (boxes) four to eight and they’re going to come across hard.

“Gypsy Yankee, he’s the top elect in my view.

“His (heat) run at Ballarat was superb, Shima Shine took forever to pick him up.” WATCH

“You look at his sectionals at Sandown and The Meadows, they’re so consistent. He’s getting stronger and is in great form. I think this really does look his race – $8, great bet!”

“His (Gypsy Yankee) run at Ballarat was superb, Shima Shine took forever to pick him up.I think this really does look his race – $8, great bet!”

“I think the value lies with Mepunga Warrior. You can get $5 at the moment. If you go back and watch the heat run he got held up at a crucial stage mid-race and that’s where he does his best work. He’s definitely one to follow going forward; he’s going to turn into a great stayer.”

In the Champion Short Course final (425m), David Geall’s dual country cups winner Ferdinand Boy (6) and Team Dailly’s Shima Classic (2) share top billing on TAB’s market at $2.50.

The Watchdog is siding with Ferdinand Boy, believing an inside draw won’t suit Shima Classic, as he says is also the case with half-brother Shima Shine in the Champion Sprinter decider.

“I think this is Ferdinand Boy’s race to lose. If he can step on terms he’ll out-muster and just get the job done and add another feature win to his resume,” The Watchdog said.

“Shima Classic is under the odds for mine.

“She’s an absolute machine but she doesn’t really begin that well and she’s got a wide runner directly on her inside and a keen railer on her outside, so unless she lands two in front, which she doesn’t do very often, she’s going to get crowded early and I just can’t see her getting into the race.”

Race 5 – $120,750 CHAMPION SHORT COURSE FINAL (425m), 8.28pm