Pakenham Cup Day headlines Victoria’s thoroughbred program this weekend, and nine races will be contested.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:35pm – John Duff & Co BM70 Handicap (1600m)
Tycoon Bec will take plenty of improvement into her second campaign start at Pakenham on Saturday and she can return to winning form.
The Written Tycoon mare recorded three wins from as many starts during her debut prep, and her condition just gave way a little when third at Geelong resuming this time.
Jamie Kah jumps aboard this week and with even luck, Tycoon Bec can win again.
Race 2 – 1:10pm – Momentum Gaming F&M BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Starlight Scope has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and she can continue her rise through the grades at Pakenham on Saturday.
The Night Of Thunder mare was too good for a BM64 field at Mornington when resuming and returned an even better effort at Ladbrokes Park last time.
Fitter third-up, this looks the perfect opportunity to strike in Saturday metro company.
Race 3 – 1:45pm – Fulmen Park BM78 Handicap (1000m)
Brownie can record another win at Pakenham on Saturday.
The Street Boss mare recorded consecutive wins at Mildura and Kilmore earlier in her prep before finishing third in BM68 company at Morphettville in October.
She relished a month between runs when charging in to score at The Valley last month, and I am confident of a similar performance and result this week.
Race 4 – 2:20pm – Iron Jack Australian Lagers 3YO BM70 Handicap (1000m)
Marine One can bounce back in Race 4 on Pakenham Cup Day.
The well-bred colt broke his maiden with complete ease when resuming at Swan Hill in September, and he continued his climb through the grades with another bullish win at The Valley.
He has been freshened since his last-start effort in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day, and he will relish this substantial drop in class.
Race 5 – 3:00pm – 9Mile Fresh Handicap (1600m)
Riot And Rose will likely start a short-priced favourite in the fifth on Pakenham Cup Day, and for good reason.
The Pins gelding won each of his three starts during his debut preparation, and picked up where he left off with another smart win in BM70 company at Horsham.
He takes his place in this field following a freshen-up and off the first defeat of his career; a still-credible third in the Country Cup Final on Oaks Day.
Race 6 – 3:40pm – Schweppes David Bourke Memorial Handicap (1200m)
I’m going to give Ranting another chance at Pakenham on Saturday.
Ranting is yet to show his best in three starts back this time, but he has improved noticeably with each start, and he takes his place in this field following a credible third placing in the Ballarat Magic Millions Classic.
He is nearing, if not at peak fitness, he is drawn ideally and will be steered by Jamie Kah.
Race 7 – 4:20pm – Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m)
A talented field of stayers will contest the Pakenham Cup and there is a case to be made for several winning, including Skyman.
Skyman doesn’t win out of turn, but he also rarely races poorly, and he finished second in races at The Valley and Flemington two and three starts back respectively.
He finished sixth, beaten just over a length in the Ballarat Cup last time out, and he should relish getting out to 2500m at this point of his preparation.
At around the $12 mark, we can have an each-way play.
Race 8 – 5:00pm – VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m)
Turbeau will take winning form into the VOBIS Gold Bullion, and it looks a lovely feature race for him.
Turbeau simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he has recorded three wins and two placings from his five starts since resuming in September.
This is a step up in class, but his victory in the Tatura Cup last time out what nothing short of outstanding, and a repeat of that effort would see him into the finish again.
In my opinion, he is over the odds at around the $10 mark.
Race 9 – 5:40pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)
Kissinger will relish a drop in class into the last on Pakenham Cup Day, and he is ready to strike fourth-up.
The Tavistock gelding hasn’t saluted in three starts back this time, but he was only denied by a head in the Ballan Cup at Geelong two starts back, and his late work at Ballarat last time was eye-catching.
He is drawn ideally, gets some relief in the weights and can return to winning form.
