Midweek racing returns to Pakenham and Warwick Farm as The Wizard of Odds prepares us for the best bets.
The Wizard has found a first starter at Pakenham that looks to have decent ability as well as an old veteran at Warwick Farm who still has the zest for racing.
Pakenham Race 2
#1 Golden Monkey
Golden Monkey debut at Pakenham over the 1000-metre short-course and looks set to run a big race.
Loved the way this horse travelled in a Cranbourne trial over 800 metres as well as his 1000-metre jumpout at Mornington prior.
On both occasions he looked the ultimate professional when being asked to ease off the heels of the horses in front him and when slipped a tiny bit of reign in both trials, he looked ready to explode.
By the eye, he looks to have a very sharp turn of foot which should be used to full effect with a smother in behind horses from barrier one.
Just hoping the inside section of the Pakenham track is not quicksand given the rain Melbourne has copped the last 24-48 hours.
Suggested Bet: Golden Monkey each-way at $5 the win and $1.95 the place.
Pakenham Race 6
#4 All of Brighton
Perfect set-up for All of Brighton to make win number three at start number six.
He has stepped up to Saturday grade racing and run very well since winning up the Flemington straight over 1000 metres back on January 29 this year.
His most recent outing was a fourth-placed finish over 1200 metres behind Curran after getting too far back in a hotly run race at Caulfield.
The drop back to midweek grade over 1000 metres on a wet track and launching home late off what is likely to be a fast run race will be ideal for him.
Michael Dee can just bide his time, angle to the middle of the track from barrier four and let down with his sprint.
Best of the day at Pakenham.
Suggested Bet: All of Brighton win at $2.25
Pakenham Race 7
#7 Opoho Dreaming
Opoho Dreaming is a nice enough price and can run a cheeky race first-up off a spell.
This four-year-old mare from the Mike Moroney yard has proven her credentials on wet tracks having broken her maiden on a heavy 10 surface at Warrnambool last year.
She has drawn a barrier that will force jockey Jye McNeil to be positive as to not be cluttered up when the heat goes into the race at the top of the straight.
Was out the back of a 1100-metre jumpout at Werribee against the likes of Paradee and Bernandez who are very talented gallopers.
Would not read too much into how far she was beaten in that jump out given but that it was a nice tune-up for a first-up assault.
Good each-way bet.
Suggested Bet: Opoho Dreaming each-way at $10 the win and $2.6 the place.
Warwick Farm Race 5
#12 Tenorino
Tenorino just keeps on keeping on for an old boy.
The eight-year-old gelding from the Kerry Parker stable did a fantastic job to run second behind Prince of Arragon at Kembla Grange last start.
After drawing the widest barrier in an eight-horse field, jockey Jeff Penza restrained him to settle last before improving on the rails.
He did not go around a horse and darted through the inside to look like the winner but was just out punched the eventual winner Prince of Arragon.
Draws a much better barrier today and can settle closer to the lead speed than he did at Kembla Grange.
Rachel King takes the ride and he can run a massive race at long odds.
Suggested bet: Tenorino each-way at $26 the win and $6 the place.
Warwick Farm Race 7
#3 Snippy Fox
Snippy Fox has the perfect jockey booking for his front-running style in the form of Campbell Rawiller.
The son of Nash will claim three kilos off the four-year-old mare who showed good fight at her last start despite running third.
She led throughout in her first attempt at 1400 metres this preparation and was just nabbed late by the favourite in that BM-72 affair.
She drops four 4.5kgs after that effort and trainer Joe Pride will be hoping the rain tumbles down given her strong wet weather credentials.
Wide barrier will unlikely be an issue given Rawiller is an aggressive rider and he will be looking for the front as soon as the barriers open.
Suggested bet: Snippy Fox win at $3.7
