Racing at Pakenham on a Thursday night sees the BetDeluxe racing gurus finding their way through an eight-race program.
There looks to be a handy colt in the first that has shown a nice level of ability at the jump outs.
Pakenham Race 1
#4 river ribble
It was tough not to be taken aback by the Flemington jump out of River Ribble.
The two-year-old colt trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman settled nicely in behind a handful of horses over 800 metres and made up nice ground when he was slipped a bit of reign upon cornering.
Love the way he responded and he looked as though he was ready to explode past his rivals has the jockey fully released the brakes.
Mark Zahra seems to have got his eye back in since a return from suspension and injury after riding a metro winner at Caulfield yesterday.
Barrier three should allow this colt to get the charmed run with cover and he should be able to chase down the leaders.
Suggested Bet: River Ribble win at $3.10
Pakenham race 2
#12 Our Shinko
Having a very small each-way play on Our Shinko.
The three-year-old filly has been ridden out late in her jump outs to get prepared for her return to the races and it is interesting to note she did not sport the blinkers in either.
She responded well to being asked for an effort and the blinkers might just be the gear she needs to find the winners list for the first time.
Brett Prebble has been engaged which is always a positive sign and there has a little sprinkling of support for her in early markets.
This filly is trained at the track and the stable is going super, which only gives us more confidence of getting a run for our money at double-figure odds.
Suggested Bet: Our Shinko each-way at $10 the win and $3 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 7, 10, 12
Pakenham race 3
#5 Gemini Dancer
The red lights were flashing and this horse was saying ‘back me next start.’
Gemini Dancer is ready to break his maiden status after running strongly over 1400 metres in a highly-rated maiden race at Pakenham only a fortnight ago despite only having a 1000-metre run as his platform.
That last start effort is going to do his fitness a world of good and it now gives him the ideal base to run a personal best.
The rise in distance to the mile against slower horses should see him settle much handier to the speed than he has been at his first few starts.
Very hard to beat and we get the each-way price to have a nice whack at this galloper.
Suggested Bet: Gemini Dancer each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 1 & 5
pakenham race 7
#5 no change
He might have to carry 61kgs, but No Change is actually in brilliantly at the weights in this event.
If we forget about his run in BM-64 grade at Sandown back on December 26 last year, the last two times he raced in this grade he has bolted in.
He carried 60kgs and 62kgs on those occasions, and only has to carry 61kgs, so technically he goes down in weight from his last win in this grade.
His run in BM-70 grade over the unsuitable 1200 metres was the sign of a horse who was looking for further.
Getting back up to 1400 metres and drawing a perfect barrier should see him hard in the finish here at nice odds.
Suggested Bet: No Change each-way at $13 the win and $4 the place.
