International Racing: Pakenham – Thursday 02 April 2020

Eight races can be looked forward to at Pakenham on Thursday. The best bet comes in the last race in the form of SOVEREIGN LEGEND.

He won on debut well and looks to have a bit of class about him. The two jockey’s worth following at the meeting are Craig Williams and Mark Zahra.

More international tips for tomorrow:
Gulfstream Park
Gosford
Cairns
Pakenham

Neil Morrice

Best Bet: SOVEREIGN LEGEND (Race 8) 
Value Bet: DES MOINES (Race 7)

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Race 1
IT’S TRUE is an unraced daughter of So You Think from the John Sadler stable. She was unrivalled coming into this event, but she doesn’t need to be the stable superstar to win in this type of field. Mark Zahra does duty and the betting market will be the best guide with regards to her chances. FORTYFIVEDEGREES showed good signs of returning to best form in her last start. She raced deep around the turn that day, but the manner in which she finished off the race was eye-catching. If she repeats that effort in this type of field, she should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.

Race 2 
HASSELTOF produced a promising debut effort over six furlongs on this course. He didn’t have much luck in running that day as he was held up between the 400m and 350m mark. The manner in which he finished off the race was eye-catching and he should enjoy the extra furlong on offer tonight. With the natural improvement that is expected, he looks like the one they all have to beat. WHITTINGTON STONE has finished runner-up in his last two outings. Jake Noonan who was aboard the son of Whittington in those two efforts keeps the ride and the pair should be right there in the run down to the wire.

Race 3
MISS VICKI is not the most consistent sort, but her penultimate run when finishing second over this course and distance was good. She does have a wide barrier position to contend with this evening, but she gets the services of regular pilot Jye McNeil who knows her well and who will give her all the necessary assistance from the saddle. RESET ALL has come well in her last two starts. She had excuses after her last race as she suffered from a mild colic. If all goes according to plan tonight, she should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection.

Race 4
THEE ONE is lightly raced and has just had the three starts to date. She was unlucky not to have won her last start as she was held up at the top of the straight and didn’t get the clearest of passages the rest of the way up the lane. The manner in which she has been finishing off her races suggests that she will enjoy the step up to the mile and with top jockey Craig Williams doing duty, she should be the one they all have to beat. STEAMBOAT ROCK has shown good improvement in his last two starts over this course and distance. Michael Walker knows the son of Fastnet Rock well and the pair should be mowing down the frontrunners in the closing stages.

Race 5 
CARPOOL KARAOKE was an impressive winner on debut over seven furlongs on this course. He set the pace that day and the manner in which he gave a kick up the straight was encouraging. He takes on stronger this evening and steps up the mile, which should be no concern for the son of Tavistock. He is likely to adopt the same tactics this evening and may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. SONG BROCODE raced in Grade 3 company in her last start. She takes a drop-in class this evening and with the removal of the blinkers, she could be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection.

Race 6
STAY GOLD was in need of her last run after returning from a 20-week break. She has run well over today’s distance in the past with a win and a second-place finish from three outings. She does have a wide barrier position to overcome, but she does have early gate speed and should get across without using up too much energy. It is encouraging that she gets the services of top jockey Craig Williams. ANALYTICA is slowly coming back to his best form. He was making steady progress in his last start to finish just off the leaders. That was against slightly stronger opposition and jumping from pole position tonight, he should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.

Race 7
DES MOINES has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. She was narrowly beaten in her last start when heavily backed. Her record over this distance is decent with a win and four third-place finishes from seven outings. This daughter of War should get her consistency rewarded under the capable hands of Michael Dee. ALFA ORO is lightly raced and returns from an 88-week break. He won on debut well and followed that up with a decent second-place finish. He was a winner in his only barrier trial leading up to this race and if fit and well, he should be the one to pose the biggest threat to the top selection.

Race 8
SOVEREIGN LEGEND is the best bet on tonight’s card. He was an impressive winner on debut over this distance at Moonee Valley, four weeks ago. He does take a rise in class this evening, but the manner in which he won that day suggests that there is a lot more to come from the son of Written Tycoon. Mark Zahra takes the ride and the pair should be tough to beat. NOVEMBER DREAMING is a filly taking on the males. She is yet to be unplaced from five career starts. She returns from a 16 week break tonight and makes her course debut. If not in need of the outing, she should be right there in the firing line.