The $300,000 listed Pakenham Cup is set to be run and won today.
It’s a thick, competitive card and hopefully we can find some winners.
The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit and the track should play fairly, although if fields are big enough and runners slingshot to the outside lanes they may have a slight advantage.
Race 1
Written Miss went like a rocket on debut. Pinged to the front and never looked back. All but likely to the do the same here but no value.
Veranskova is the un-raced horse in this field and looks to have some talent.
Miss Divine Em rounds out the main chances.
Suggested bet: No bet. If Written Miss hits $3 back her.
Race 2
Tough race will stick with Pariano on an each-way basis who is undefeated first-up. Drawn to get a beautiful run just in behind the leaders and will very hard to beat.
Meteorite should run well but is well under the odds at $2.5.
Defiant Dancer is the main the threat to the top pick with the Philip Stokes going very well at the moment.
Final Man and That Girl next best.
Suggested bet: Pariano each-way.
Race 3
A Harvey Norman race this one. Absolutely zero interest in this.
Suggested bet: No bet.
Race 4
A similar affair to race three. Very tough to put the finger on one runner here.
We’ll land with the horses who maps in the lead Stuchbree Stamp. It’s a bit of step up in grade from last start and he’s drawn wide but jockey Luke Nolen will likely surge to the front and take the barrier out of the equation.
Tough to be confident about anything else.
Suggested bet: No bet.
Race 5
Tavidance was a sick watch in the Kilmore Cup last start. Only got clear the last 100m or so and rattled home to just miss and run second. Market has found him though. $2.6 no prizes for picking him.
Asterius was disappointing first-up but does have fantastic second-up form and gets a much more favourable set-up than last start at Flemington. Barrier six, drops six kgs in weight and is $41… might be worth a peanut.
Gold Fields and Night’s Watch next best.
Suggested bet: Small each-way bet on Asterius.
Race 6
The map horse here is Sirius Suspect. Will jump, lead and try to run them into the ground with Jamie Kah in the saddle. He’s as honest as they come this horse.
Hi Stranger arguably should have won last start had Jye McNeil just angled out behind the eventual winner earlier in the straight at Ballarat. Gets Nash Rawiller here.
Tavisan and William Thomas round out the selections.
Suggested bet: No bet.
Race 7
He might be weighted poorly but he continues to run well and that horse is Brimham Rocks.
Northwest Passage has been specked at each-way odds and is drawn to get a nice run.
Scarlet Dream and Attorney should both run well but it’s tough to suggest being confident about anything here.
Suggested bet: Just sit back and watch.
Race 8
Competitive feature of the Gold Bullion this year.
Big question mark over $2.3 favourite The Astrologist. 1100m up to 1400m he is risk at the price. We’ll let him through to Adam Gilchrist…
Amadeus will improve here second-up. Won this very race in 2018 and he’s 20 to 1 here.
Wild Vixen was very firm in the market last start but was well beaten at Sandown. Expecting her to improve sharply here and she’s drawn a nice barrier to do so. Ben Melham takes the ride.
Ocular has been racing in great form this preparation but in all likelihood draws a barrier which will see him settle in the rear half of the field.
Suggested bet: Amadeus each-way and Wild Vixen win.
Race 9
Really tough way to end the day.
Arctic Shock gets the golden switch going from an inside barrier to an outside barrier and should have full momentum in the run. Only knock is she’ll probably map to sit at the tail end of the field.
Metronome had a month between runs last start and was just pipped for a win. Can definitely go one better and Damian Lane retains the ride as well which is always a positive sign.
Score and Stay Gold next best.
Suggested bet: No bet.
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