The Wizard of Odds goes across the Eastern seaboard.
The best bets from the Pakenham synthetic meeting as well as race previews from Hawkesbury and Lismore.
Pakenham Race 2
#15 Future Charm
Future Charm rocks up at Pakenham for her new stable with a solid 950-metre Traralgon trial under her belt as well as an 800-metre Pakenham jumpout.
She settled up on the speed in her trial and was pushed along late in the straight.
The three-year-old filly responded well to the light riding in a sign that she can deal with being put under pressure.
Her jump out was a little more impressive than her trial given she jumped cleanly and settle outside the lead.
She was ridden out again but did a good job to win by a narrow margin.
Interesting that the blinkers were not on in neither the trial nor jump out but they are applied on raceday.
Trainer Phillip Stokes has an incredible 29% strike rate from his last 24 runners at this track.
The market might have completely missed this horse.
Suggested Bet: Future Charm each-way at $26 the win and $6 the place.
Pakenham Race 3
#10 Miss Keeler
Miss Keeler was well fancied on debut after showing above average ability at her jump outs but she could only muster a fourth-placed finish in a field of seven runners.
She was gapped by eventual winner Yulong Justify but the race shape laid out poorly for her.
Her jockey Beau Mertens resisted getting involved in what was a stoush for the lead and the three-year-old resented being restrained so heavily.
She was then caught deep with no cover and failed to let down strongly in the straight.
Think the inside draw and the rise in distance should see her probe through and lead.
Expecting a much improved performance.
Suggested Bet: Miss Keeler each-way at $5 the win and $1.90 the place.
Pakenham Race 5
#2 Big Darryl
Big Darryl was truck-loaded in betting last start and loomed like a champion to win over 1600 metres at this track but just felt the pinch late.
His conditioning gave way in the last 100 metres of the race and he was unable to reel in Starring Role who kicked away to leave him with the runner-up cheque.
That run is sure to have him at peak fitness heading into this BM-58 event and he draws a peach of a barrier to top his effort a fortnight ago.
Love that trainer Andrew Homann has also decided to use Josh Richard’s two-kilo claim to relieve some of the 62.5 kilos assigned at the weights.
Looks the best of the day at Pakenham!
Suggested Bet: Big Darryl win at $3
Hawkesbury Race 6
#7 Command King
Command King will hit his peak when he races third and fourth-up over the mile and further but he can run a huge race upon resumption.
He rocks up here under the guidance of John Thompson after a stable switch from Clare Cunningham.
Thompson has given this horse two hit outs in preparation for this 1300 metre assignment and a big lead is Hugh Bowman deciding to stick with the ride after legging up on him in the most recent trial.
Draws a beautiful barrier for Bowman to settle in the place where he loves to live; the one-one.
Market will probably tell us how screwed down this four-year-old gelding is but happy to be with him at the current price.
Suggested Bet: Command King win at 3.6
Hawkesbury Race 7
#6 Bob
Bob only one career win from 13 starts but he gets a birthday present of a race to unveil win number two.
The three-year-old gelding from the Mark Newnham stable drew down on the inside at Hawkesbury over 1800 metres last start and whacked away well to finish second.
He was beaten by a sharper horse on the day who had a better sprint than him in a jiggy jog race.
This race looks to have a more genuine tempo and barrier eight means jockey Sam Clipperton has to surge forward.
Likely to receive a trouble free run-in-transit.
Suggested bet: Bob win at $2.9
Suggested bet: Bob win at $2.9
