3 minute read
This Friday’s Pakenham Cup meeting will be run under lights for the first time in the race’s near 100-year history.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Nine races are scheduled to be run and won on a good racing surface with the rail in true position.
We've studied the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.
RACE 1 - 5:45PM: Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)The Doll (12) didn't have things go to plan on debut at Yarra Glen but put in a strong performance, nonetheless.
The three-year-old filly settled towards the back from the outside gate and proceeded to race wide throughout but never shirked the task to run on strongly to finish 1.4 lengths third.
She has since had a jump out and looked super winning it.
She'll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate racing on her home track with a senior jockey on board.
1 Unit – The Doll (12)
RACE 2 - 6:15PM: BM64 Handicap (1000 METRES)Grinzinger Angel (4) returns to the races for the first time since suffering cardiac arrythmia at Geelong in October.
Prior to that, the Danny O'Brien-trained filly was flying last preparation with back-to-back five-length victories.
One of those wins was first-up at Casterton over 1100m so she races well fresh, and she looks ready for a bold showing here based on her excellent recent all the way Flemington jump out win.
Gun hoop Damian Lane takes the ride and will look to be positive.
2 Units – Grinzinger Angel (4)
RACE 3 - 6:45PM: Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)Illative (8) looks set for a peak performance third-up after two encouraging efforts to start her second preparation.
The daughter of I Am Invincible was unlucky not to finish closer than fourth when held up first-up over this course and distance.
She then caught the eye storming home to finish a nose second in an open three-year-old race at Flemington.
While the barrier is not ideal, she is extremely well placed back in maiden company and looks hard to hold out.
2 Units – Illative (8)
RACE 4 - 7:15PM: F&M Maiden Plate (1600 METRES)Thoughtful Woman (3) is ready to kick the door down for a win after placing in eight of 13 starts.
The Robbie Laing-trained five-year-old mare was terribly unlucky last start when held up with plenty to offer for the bulk of the straight here in the Future Stars Final, going to the line untested for a 1.5 length fifth.
That was a Class 3 at set weights, so she'll appreciate dropping back to maiden company as well as the rise to a mile.
Craig Williams is a key booking.
1 Unit – Thoughtful Woman (3)
RACE 5 - 7:45PM: Maiden Plate (1400 METRES)Starton (9) improved third-up when stepping up to this distance here.
The Jerome Hunter-trained son of Tosen Stardom loomed in the straight and fought bravely to finish third by 1.9 lengths.
He will be at peak fitness now and has the early speed to find a prominent position from the potentially trick gate.
The scratching of Aichi Icon significantly increases his winning chance.
1 Unit – Starton (9)
RACE 6 - 8:15PM: F&M BM64 Handicap (1400 METRES)Amani (6) was excellent in her first start for Tom Sadler when resuming at Terang.
The lightly raced Smart Missile mare settled back and was forced to make a long wide run but despite that, still was far too strong late to win by 1.8 lengths.
She looks to have considerable upside and will enjoy the rise to 1400m.
Last preparation she was narrowly beaten second-up over this course and distance but looks a more furnished horse this time in work.
1 Unit – Amani (6)
RACE 7 - 8:45PM: C,G&E BM64 Handicap (1400 METRES)This is by far the toughest race of the night so I'm going with a bit of each way value in Peel The Stickers (5).
The Patrick Payne-trained four-year-old gelding was very good last start when storming home to win by a length over 1500m at Bendigo.
He rises in class, but he's only lightly raced so has plenty of upside and will strip fitter third-up.
Tom Prebble, who claims 3kg, was aboard for last start's win and sticks.
1 Unit Each Way – Peel The Stickers (5)
RACE 8 - 9:15PM: Listed Pakenham Cup (2500 METRES)Dunkel (1) is a tough stayer with an impeccable record that looks well placed to continue his winning ways in this year's Listed Pakenham Cup.
The Patrick Payne-trained son of Dundeel returned from an eight-week break last start over 2000m at Caulfield where he proved too strong against several of the same horses he meets here.
He steps up to this distance for just the second time, but it won't be a problem given he won the Group 1 South Australian Derby last year which was over 2500m.
Billy Egan will be able to settle in a prominent position and give his mount every chance.
2 Units – Dunkel (1)
RACE 9 - 9:45PM: BM64 Handicap (1600 METRES)United Kingdom (6) will appreciate dropping back to this class after being thrown in the deep end last start at Group 2 level.
The Price and Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old colt impressed on debut when storming home to win by just under a length at Geelong.
He then settled too far back and was forced to come wide when finishing eighth by 8.9 lengths in the Autumn Classic.
It was a fair run given the level of opposition.
He gets back in his races so the wide draw isn't as much of hinderance as it looks.
1 Unit – United Kingdom (6)
