Sale Cup: The Watchdog's extended form

Friday 26 th December, 2008 at 9.42pm
Prize money: 1 st $30,000; 2 nd $8,000; 3 rd $4,000

1. PURPLE RANGE $10.00
First Group Race Final
Fast Times:
Sale – 37.52
Sandown Park – 30.07
Cranbourne – 30.22
Geelong – 34.35
Horsham – 32.47
Ballarat – 31.24
The Watchdog says: Highly talented chaser who cost himself dearly when he tried to move up the track on the first turn in his heat, however he later recovered to be narrowly beaten. Box draw hasn’t done him any favours but if he happens to begin better this week and can settle in a forward position he will be strong in the run to the line. His chances hinge on him getting through the first turn untouched.

2. JOOP MUSE $6.00
First Group Race Final
Fast Times:
Warragul – 23.99
Sandown – 29.65
Cranbourne – 30.59
Sale - 37.42
Warragul - 40.49
The Watchdog says: Promising stayer who unleashed a withering burst of speed off the back straight to score a top 37.88 heat win last week. Has the ability to reel off breathtaking sectionals when given clear galloping room and she does her best racing when drawn inside. Unbeaten in her three tries over this trip and she will prove hard to hold out with some luck in the initial stages.

3. VINTAGE OCTANE $2.40
First Group Final
Fast Times:
Sale – 37.38
Sandown – 29.58
Geelong – 25.53
Ballarat – 25.35
Cranbourne – 30.76
Meadows – 34.32
Geelong – 34.32
The Watchdog says: Has won his past three starts over this trip and he gave nothing else a chance when he assumed control off the back straight and strode away with a sizzling 37.38 heat win last week. Relied heavily on clear galloping room and when given that luxury he has the ability to push the clock to the limit. Having the pacy Burrawonga Brett drawn directly outside him has not helped his chances, however if he can stay out of trouble in the run to the first turn he is sure to be fighting out the finish.

4. BURRAWONGA BRETT $7.50
First Group Final
Fast Times
Sale – 37.71
Wangaratta – 26.72
Wangaratta – 37.65
Bendigo – 31.51
Sandown Park – 29.99
Meadows – 34.61
Shepparton – 25.53
Shepparton – 37.91
The Watchdog says: One of the more reliable beginners in this field and he looked impressive when scoring a handy 37.71 heat win here last week. With a wide runner drawn in box one, there may be some interference heading into the first turn and if he can begin cleanly and clear the pack he may be left with a race winning lead. Is definitely one of the leading hopes.

5. HALL’S ON FIRE $16.00
Group Race Honours:
Group One Silver Chief – Finalist
Fast Times:
Bendigo – 31.38
Meadows – 34.96
Meadows – 42.89
Ballarat – 31.77
Ballarat – 38.24
Wangaratta – 37.73
Warrnambool - 37.46
Horsham - 32.84
The Watchdog says: Has been racing in career best form of late and wasn’t disgraced when he was solidly placed in his heat here last week. His draw hasn’t helped his chances and is probably a little out of his depth in this class. With a trouble free run he may be able to sneak into the placings.

6. RUN LIKE ELL $33.00
First Group Race Final
Fast Times:
Warragul – 41.10
The Watchdog says: Ran the race of her life to be smartly placed in her heat here last week. Faces a huge rise in class and may prefer something a shade easier. Great effort to make the final.

7. UNO JACOB $12.00
First Group Race Final
Fast Times:
Ballarat – 25.61
Sandown Park – 30.20
Sandown Park – 42.92
Geelong – 34.80
Meadows – 34.64
The Watchdog says: Perfectly drawn out wide and he wasn’t disgraced in his top heat placing here last week. Can show early pace in his races and he will need to settle in the first two to have any chance. Has the ability to be competitive in a race of this nature and with some luck initially he can figure in the finish.

8. ASHES PLATINUM $4.20
Group Race Honours:
Group Two Dapto Auction Final – Finalist
Group Three Golden Easter Egg Consolation Final – 3 rd
Fast Times:
Sale – 37.70
Dapto – 30.12
Dapto – 35.22
Bathurst – 30.08
Wentworth Park – 30.06
Richmond – 35.88
Gosford – 35.02
The Watchdog says: Was slow to begin before he roared home to score a top 37.70 heat win from this draw last week. Is a top class NSW sprinter who has won numerous top grade races at Wentworth Park. Ideally drawn out wide and he should be improved by his first up effort here last week. If he can settle in the first half of the field as they go through the first bend he will prove very hard to hold out in the run to the line.

9. RAPID NEWFIRE (first reserve) $16.00
First Group Race Final
Fast Times:
Sandown Park – 29.95
Meadows – 34.59
Meadows – 30.11
Sale – 37.71
The Watchdog says: Led them up and appeared to have every chance in his heat placing here last week. Has a top record over 600m at The Meadows and he may improve on his first up effort here over 650m. Would need to draw well to figure prominently.

10. IMA DRIFTER $21.00
Group Race Honours:
Group Two McKenna Memorial Final – Finalist
Fast Times:
Meadows – 34.42
Meadows – 30.17
Meadows – 43.33
Sandown Park – 42.60
Sandown Park – 30.12
Warragul – 41.21
Horsham – 27.67
Geelong – 25.84
Geelong – 34.29
Ballarat – 31.59
The Watchdog says: Had no luck in his heat before he finished on strongly to record a handy heat placing. Has been highly competitive in this class previously and if he happened to gain a start from a good draw he may figure in the placings.

TIPS: 2 – 8 – 3 – 4

Final word from The Watchdog:
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of early speed in this race which should allow Burrawonga Brett to be able to find the early lead with Uno Jacob applying pressure as they head out of the straight the first time. Purple Range will be trying to get to the outside on the first turn and if Joop Muse and Vintage Octane can rail up underneath him they should find themselves in a prominent position heading out of the straight. Off the back straight is where the race should start to heat up with the likes of Joop Muse, Vintage Octane and Ashes Platinum all starting their runs. With Joop Muse unlikely to leave the rails, she should be able to sneak away from Vintage Octane, Ashes Platinum and Burrawonga Brett as they round the final bend. The run for home should be a stirring battle with Joop Muse likely to be too strong with Ashes Platinum out wide just collaring Vintage Octane in the run to the line.