Pakenham hosts its feature day of the racing calendar with the running of the $300,000 Pakenham Cup.
BetDeluxe’s very own Punter’s Prince takes us through the runner-by-runner guide of the Cup.
#1 Future Score
matt cumani
Big query with the gap between runs.
Has had two starts at the track for a win, which is a good sign, but would need to lift considerably from his last start effort.
Odds: $21 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: Tenth
#2 In A Twinkling
lindsey smith
Showed some improvement getting up to 2000 metres last start and will definitely be fitter for the run.
First time at 2500 metres this preparation might just see him struggle to keep up in the latter stages of the race.
Odds: $16 the win and $4.4 the place.
Finishing position: Ninth
#3 good idea
phillip stokes
Stable is going well and he will roll forward to make his own luck.
Freshened up since his effort in BM-96 grade at Flemington and has had a trial to keep his legs ticker over.
Not really treated well at the weights though and will need to be left alone in the lead to have a chance of running in the top four.
Odds: $26 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#4 mosh music
archie alexander
Out of form.
There are others well and truly ahead of her in this race.
Odds: $31 the win and $6 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
#5 skyman
chris waller
Starting to become a bit of a perennial for the punters.
Wide gate might actually enhance his chances, given he has always been stuck on the rail or in between horses without the ability to really gather up momentum heading into the home straight.
Has never run beyond the 2000-metre distance range, but Chris Waller knows what he is doing with these middle-distance/staying-type horses.
Would not be surprised to see him run in the top five.
Odds: $13 the win and $3.80 the place.
Finishing position: Fifth
#6 Mankayan
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Finally broke through for that elusive win on Australian turf last start after a string of seconds.
He is rock-hard fit and will be stalking the on-pacers with Jye Mcneil in the saddle.
Might just be a little bit outclassed by a few others in this race, but he is a genuine top four hope.
Odds: $4.80 the win and $1.95 the place
Finishing position: Second
#7 Pappalino
archie alexander
Will be buried away on the rail looking for a way out.
Even the gaps do open up, he still is not good enough to win this.
Odds: $21 the win and $5.5 the place
Finishing position: Eleventh
#8 smokin romans
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace have wasted no time at all booking in Jamie Kah as she makes her return to the saddle.
This stayer just loves doing his racing over 2400-2500 metres and has barely run a bad this preparation.
He comes into this event with a sizeable gap between runs after finishing second in the Bendigo Cup.
The horse is clearly going well enough for Kah to put her hand up to ride him, so that in itself could be a tip.
Gets in on the minimum having to only carry 54kgs and will look the winner at some stage.
Odds: $3.5 the win and $1.55 the place.
Finishing position: First
#9 Flash Aah
matt kropp
Flash Aah is a very interesting runner.
Races on the quick back-up after a solid effort in the Zipping Classic last weekend.
He comes back in grade and gets in with the bottom weight.
Daniel Moor riding is a positive sign as well and he could run a cheeky race at each-way odds.
Odds: $17 the win and $4.8 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#10 team captain
matt cumani
He is airborne at the moment.
Has put together two peak career ratings in a row at his last two starts to transfer his country cup win at Hamilton into a big win at Flemington last start.
This is his toughest test to date this campaign, but has to be respected.
He has a big set of lungs that will keep him in the race for a long way.
The only knock is the price is quite short.
Odds: $4 the win and $1.75 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
#11 Long Arm
peter gelagotis
Looks outclassed based on what he has done so far this preparation.
Would prefer to see him drop back to country cup level.
Odds: $26 the win and $6 the place.
Finishing position: Twelfth
#12 Think We're Due
andrew noblet
Was a long way off Team Captain at Flemington last start.
Long price and that price is justified.
Odds: $61 the win and $12 the place.
Finishing position: Thirteenth
#13 constantinople
aaron purcell
Snowflakes chance in hell he wins this.
Odds: $101 the win and $26 the place.
Finishing position: Last
#14 Mimi's Award
ben & J D hayes
The sole mare of the field.
Does not get any weight allowance off the boys in this race which is a cross against her name.
This is also a rise in grade from her last start midfield finish at Ballarat over 2000 metres.
Happy to risk and bet around her.
Odds: $11 the win and $3.5 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
