Daily Mail: Ruby set to shine at Sandown Park

[Wandering Eyes]

A terrific line-up of stayers including G3 winner Mepunga Ruby (12 from 19 – 41.44sec PB) feature in today’s 715m Free For All at Sandown Park.

The Watchdog’s top selection faces potential topliner Gypsy Wyong (12 from 20), victorious in the $35,500 G3 Top Cat Video Cup final at The Meadows almost two weeks ago.

Dual Group finalist Knicks Bale (3 from 4 Trk/Dst) and G1 winner Here’s Tears (41.16sec PB) are also big threats.

G1 runner-up Fernando Mick (2 from 5 Trk/Dst) v G2 winner Jax Bale (29.14sec PB) v G1 winner Lakeview Walter (9 from 22 – 5 from 9 Trk/Dst) highlight a quality 515m Free For All.

G1 finalists Persian Goddess (13 from 34 – 29.22sec PB) and Envy To Burn, plus Hugo, headline the $13,000 GRV Vic Bred Series 515m final, while G2 finalist Lots Of Chatter (6 from 14 Box 1) v G1 placegetter Lakeview Cruiser should provide a tense battle.

G3 winner Five Star (3 of last 5) and McCooly’s Lad (7 from 11) are favoured to prevail in their respective races, with the latter having his third run since late November last year.

Earlier at Warragul, Wild Harmony (3 from 9) and Room To Boom are both expected to triumph in the Tier 3 meeting.

Graclyn Bale (2 of last 3) v multiple Group finalist Mepunga Felix v G1 winner Weblec Eagle appears to be a great contest at Warrnambool, while G2 finalist Aston Titan (17 from 42) and Rocket Boy (29 from 58 – 3 from 5 Trk/Dst) look too strong for their respective rivals.

Lady Belladonna, who was dominant on debut in a Shepparton 385m Maiden, returns to the same track and distance this evening, and could be the most promising chaser on the card.

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: Houdini Boy at Newhaven Stud Free For All

MEPUNGA RUBY GYPSY WYONG HERE’S TEARS

Sandown Park Race 4 715m 3:47pm

Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/4

The Watchdog says : It is only a field of six, but it is a cracking line-up with some of the country’s best stayers going into battle. I firmly believe that MEPUNGA RUBY (2) is the best stayer in the land at present and she will appreciate the smaller line-up today. Since making the step up in distance, she has continued to elevate her game and her scorching 41.44sec win here three runs back stamped herself as a potential megastar. With limited early speed drawn underneath, she should have no trouble finding the rail initially and I would expect her to take a nice sit behind ‘Gypsy’ in the early stages. She has already proven her versatility with front running wins and off the pace wins, so with a clear passage today, she should prove too strong. GYPSY WYONG (4) is another who has continued to rise to the occasion since stepping up to this distance range. When she made her staying debut three runs back at The Meadows, she got very tired in the run home and I had my doubts that she would be a genuine stayer, however her two subsequent runs have stunned me. She followed up her staying debut with a bold front running performance when capturing the Group 3 Top Cat Video Cup final at The Meadows and the most impressive part of that effort was that she was pressured from the outset and was still able to hold off the powerful Hank The Hustler. I am expecting her to lead them up again tonight, however she faces another serious test with ‘Ruby’ in the line-up, so if the top elect settles close to her, she will have to pull out another massive performance. HERE’S TEARS (8) rounds out the big guns in the event, he has been a great chaser throughout his career and has captured numerous big race finals, however he is probably in the twilight of his career, and he will have to take a back seat today. The wide draw will suit, and he should be able to settle in the top three, but I do not think he still has the brilliance to match the two youngsters, so place claims appear best today.

Selections:  2 – 4 – 8 – 1

THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT
Thursday 23 September

$2 Win – RING A RANGER
Sandown Park Race 1 Box 2 515m 2:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $3.40 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/1

The Watchdog says : RING A RANGER (2) is a highly promising type and although beaten by RIDGE (1) in his heat at Cranbourne, he is better suited around Sandown Park, and he can turn the tables on his rival. He missed the kick at Cranbourne and then had to work hard to find the top, he is normally better at box rise, so he should get a cheaper lead today and that should be the difference.

$2 Win – VAYDA BALE
$1 Win – WHISTLING BULLET     Lucky Longshot
Sandown Park Race 3 Boxes 3 & 5 515m 3:27pm
TAB fixed odds: $4 Win (Vayda Bale)
TAB fixed odds: $12 Win (Whistling Bullet)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/3

The Watchdog says : This is a really strong race; however, I think we have found some value with the on speed runners. VAYDA BALE (3) has raced well here to date, and she appears to be getting stronger all the time. She recorded a brilliant 29.52sec when finishing second here last week and she should have no trouble crossing and finding the top at the bend. WHISTLING BULLET (5) is another with a good record here and she is normally very reliable at box rise. She is armed with smart early speed, and I think she can exit the bend on the outside of ‘Vayda’. Both can get a little tired and there are some gun chasers in this event, however I think the second division may bunch behind and one of the front runners can steal the race.

$1 Exacta – 2 / 1,8 (50%)
Sandown Park Race 4 715m 3:47pm     Must Watch Race
Form  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/4

The Watchdog says : MEPUNGA RUBY (2) should be able to settle in the top two and prove too strong in the run home. GYPSY WYONG (4) is the obvious danger, however if ‘Ruby’ gets to her early, she may fold up a bit quicker and that could allow KNICKS BALE (1) or HERE’S TEARS (8) to sneak into second at value.

$2 Multi

First : Place – GYPSY BUN
Sandown Park Race 5 Box 2 515m 4:23pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.20 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/5

Second : Place – ABELERO BALE
Sandown Park Race 7 Box 1 595m 4:57pm
TAB fixed odds: $2 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/7

Third : Place – LAKEVIEW BONNIE
Sandown Park Race 11 Box 1 515m 6:25pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/708395969/race/11

The Watchdog says : GYPSY BUN (2) is as honest as they come, and she should get a nice run through behind LOTS OF CHATTER (1) at the bend. ABELERO BALE (1) is drawn to settle closer than normal and with an ounce of luck in running, a top three finish is likely. LAKEVIEW BONNIE (1) was far from disgraced here last week and the rails draw will be a big difference maker today, if she can hold the top at the bend, she should hit the scoreboard.

Multi price: $5.94

$2 Multi

First : Place – MOONLIGHT DIGGER
Warrnambool Race 1 Box 8 450m 5:37pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.60 Place
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538988/race/1

Second : Win – GRACLYN BALE
Warrnambool Race 4 Box 1 650m 6:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.90 Win
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538988/race/4

Third : Place – ASTON MIREYA
Warrnambool Race 10 Box 3 390m 8:40pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Place (Top two finish required)
Form https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538988/race/10

The Watchdog says : MOONLIGHT DIGGER (8) has been crying out for a wide draw and this distance range, so with an ounce of luck in running, a top three finish is on the cards. GRACLYN BALE (1) is drawn to lead, and she should prove too classy for her rivals. ROCKET BOY (4) is easily the most gifted chaser in Race 10, however he can be hit or miss at box rise, whereas ASTON MIREYA (3) is bullet proof at box rise and she will be in the top two from the outset.

Multi price: $5.01

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