The Spring Racing Carnival might be behind us, but there's still plenty of winners to be found as Friday night racing returns to Southside Pakenham. Eight races are on the card under the lights, with the first jumping at 6:15pm AEDT and a Good 4 track expected to provide ideal conditions for an entertaining evening.
We've picked out three runners worth following, starting with Star Je Taime in the opener, before Mongolian Hero looks to break through in Race 2. Later in the evening, Melek shapes as a strong winning chance over 2500m. We've also put together our quaddie selections for punters looking to finish the night with a collect.
Here are our best Pakenham racing tips and selections for Friday night!
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Pakenham Racing Tips & Best Bets
| Race |
Best Bet |
Odds |
| Race 1 |
Star Je Taime – Win |
$2.30 (2u) |
| Race 2 |
Mongolian Hero – Win |
$2.10 (3u) |
| Race 4 |
Melek – Win |
$2.60 (2u) |
Race 1 – The Valley @ Southside Pakenham Plate (1600m, 6:15pm AEDT)
(10) Star Je Taime — Star Je Taime will be hard to beat in the opener, with Danny O’Brien and Damien Lane combining. She has beaten some of her rivals previously and was narrowly beaten as a short-priced favourite last start. Blinkers go on here, and she could settle fourth on the outside.
(7) Ambition In Bloom — Ambition In Bloom has drawn barrier eight and may roll forward again. She has her second attempt at the mile after tiring over the final 50m last time.
*SCRATCHED* (5) Open Fire — Open Fire should enjoy a good run from barrier two. Although yet to place in her short career, she could feature at attractive place odds ($2.00) in an easier race, on her second attempt at both the distance and Pakenham.
Best Bet
(10) Star Je Taime
$2.30 (2 Units)
Race 2 – Ladbrokes More on the Tote Win Plate (1400m, 6:45pm AEDT)
(8) Mongolian Hero — Mongolian Hero has yet to place but has shown enough to suggest he can feature in stronger company. He finished a close fourth at this track last start, beaten less than a length. Familiarity with the course should help, and barrier six may allow him to settle midfield with room to move.
(9) Royal Canvas — Royal Canvas makes his debut after winning two recent jumpouts. Dan Stackhouse takes the ride from barrier two.
(4) Galivad — Galivad resumes for the in-form Bedggood stable and has race experience on his side. Jett Stanley rides, and the $1.90 place quote may appeal to place punters.
Best Bet
(8) Mongolian Hero
$2.10 (3 Units)
Race 4 – Drummond Golf Handicap (2500m, 7:45pm AEDT)
(1) Melek — Melek looks hard to beat for the Maher stable after leading throughout at Bendigo over 2400m last start, when supported late in betting. Barrier 11 makes the task tougher, but his dry-track form is strong and he has built fitness since resuming in September. Jabez Johnstone rides for the first time.
(3) Superstock — Superstock has also drawn wide in barrier 10 and may prefer some rain to soften the track, but looks ready for the extra distance.
(10) Verifier — Verifier has been finishing strongly and should improve with his second run at the distance.
Best Bet
(1) Melek
$2.60 (2 Units)
Pakenham Quaddie Tips
| Leg 1 |
1, 2, 7, 8 |
| Leg 2 |
6, 10 |
| Leg 3 |
5, 7, 11 |
| Leg 4 |
6, 8, 11 |
