Pakenham races nine times on the synthetic track on Monday, with the first race at 1:05pm. The first five races are maidens and the last four are low-grade handicaps, so it is a card for smaller bets. Prices below were taken on Sunday evening and will move. Adakite has been scratched from Race 1.
Our value play is The Troubleshooter in Race 4. Corviglia in Race 5 and What A Ripper in Race 8 are the other runners we like most.
Race 1 - Ladbrokes Turn On Flexi Multi 3yo Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Helvecchio Current odds: $2.40
Helvecchio resumes for his second career start and was closing late at Flemington on debut, which is solid form for this level. Viking Kid is a debutant by Wootton Bassett for Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) with Blake Shinn riding, so watch the market for him. Prime Force was third on debut at Bairnsdale and draws barrier one, so he should lead. Tuzemak placed when fresh at metro level and also draws well.
Selections:
- Helvecchio - $2.40
- Viking Kid - $3.40
- Prime Force - $6.00
- Tuzemak - $7.00
Race 2 - Ladbrokes New Betslip 4yo & Up Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Hedjet Current odds: $1.90
Hedjet was second at Seymour last start and has been consistent, so he deserves to be favourite, although the price is short. Diesel Desmond is the main danger. He placed at Geelong earlier this preparation and his last run is worth forgiving. More Foxie was third on debut at Sale, draws well and should improve. Windsor Chariot is a first starter from a good stable.
Selections:
- Hedjet - $1.90
- Diesel Desmond - $7.50
- More Foxie - $8.00
- Windsor Chariot - $8.00
Race 3 - Ladbrokes Hosted Pots 4yo & Up Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Silky Seth Current odds: $5.00
This is a weak maiden and Silky Seth is our pick. He was only just beaten at Geelong last start and has the speed to overcome a wide gate. Trouble’n Paradise just missed at long odds when resuming at Sale and should improve. Egyptian Thorn is worth forgiving a sixth at Ballarat, as Billy Egan and Lloyd Kennewell do well together. Monsieur Claude was closing late at Bendigo in his second start.
Selections:
- Silky Seth - $5.00
- Trouble’n Paradise - $8.00
- Egyptian Thorn - $5.00
- Monsieur Claude - $6.00
Race 4 - Ladbrokes Switch Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: The Troubleshooter Current odds: $5.50
This is our value play. The Troubleshooter has placed twice from four runs this preparation at metro level and was fifth at Mornington last start, about four lengths from the winner. He should be on the speed early and can hold them off. Loaded is the favourite as a first starter by I Am Invincible for Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr), so the market will tell you how ready he is. Bee Admired was second when resuming at Kilmore, and Nishioka was just beaten at Bairnsdale in his second start.
Selections:
- The Troubleshooter - $5.50
- Loaded - $3.60
- Bee Admired - $6.00
- Nishioka - $7.00
Race 5 - Ladbrokes Flex Your Multi Stays Alive Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Corviglia Current odds: $3.70
Corviglia was second at Caulfield Heath when fresh and has been consistent, and barrier one gives him the best run in the race. Vantaa is the favourite after just missing on debut at Mornington, and the blinkers go on for the first time, so he is the clear danger. Zverev placed at long odds on debut at Seymour, and Latassa has the speed to cross from a wide gate.
Selections:
- Corviglia - $3.70
- Vantaa - $2.15
- Zverev - $7.50
- Latassa - $13.00
Race 6 - Ladbrokes Big Bets Copy Now BM62 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Twisted Love Current odds: $4.20
Twisted Love was closing well for fourth at Caulfield Heath and drops back to country company, so he gets the nod. Caelius ran on well when resuming at Sale and draws well, so he is the favourite and the main danger. Tolpuddle has placed three times this preparation and comes back in trip. Icaro has changed stables and was closing late at Bendigo.
Selections:
- Twisted Love - $4.20
- Caelius - $3.70
- Tolpuddle - $5.00
- Icaro - $6.50
Race 7 - Ladbrokes Mega Multi BM66 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Midnight Devil Current odds: $4.60
Midnight Devil was narrowly beaten as favourite at Moe last start. He steps up in grade but should improve again for Enver Jusufovic. Bold Print is the favourite and goes well on this synthetic track, but he has to come across from a wide gate over a short trip. Fontalicious has won at Cranbourne and placed twice this preparation, and Mr Tickles has Hayley Spitse’s big claim.
Selections:
- Midnight Devil - $4.60
- Bold Print - $3.40
- Fontalicious - $5.00
- Mr Tickles - $6.50
Race 8 - Ladbrokes Popular SRM BM62 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: What A Ripper Current odds: $3.30
What A Ripper has made a good start to his career and was third at Ballarat last start, only tiring late. He should be on the speed again from a good gate. Farakta was third at Bendigo and has been consistent, so he is the main danger. Victoris gets a soft run from barrier two at a big price, and Kakkoii resumes from the rail after 30 weeks.
Selections:
- What A Ripper - $3.30
- Farakta - $4.80
- Victoris - $13.00
- Kakkoii - $10.00
Race 9 - Ladbrokes Place Extra BM62 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Neziha Current odds: $4.00
Neziha was fourth here when resuming and finished only two lengths from the winner, so she should be better for that run. Balance won strongly at Geelong and is the favourite, but she steps up in grade. Two To Tango won first up last preparation at Pakenham and drops back to an easier grade. The Flying Popov is a roughie from a good stable.
Selections:
- Neziha - $4.00
- Balance - $3.80
- Two To Tango - $4.60
- The Flying Popov - $10.00
