Pakenham
Race 1 – Grecia Girl
Jockey – Michael Dee
2500m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Grecia Girl strikes a small field when she gets out to 2500-metres at Pakenham this evening. The staying daughter of Magna Grecia has had three starts this preparation, sound at Echuca last time out when making some ground in a steadily-run affair, and benefits from the positive gear change of winkers applied tonight. Jockey Michael Dee leaves from an inside draw and can enjoy a lovely trail just behind the speed, finding the right part of the track to run on in the home straight.
Expecting Devine Grunt, Phoenician and Diamond Flash One to roll forward and sort the lead out in the early parts, setting up a soft passage for Grecia Girl throughout. Phoenician lines up for start nineteen here, having placed in three of his past four runs. He’ll be around the mark again but has had plenty of chances. Looks the one to beat in a moderate affair. Devine Grunt is the other chance in the race, finishing just behind Phoenician at Echuca last start and four-and-a-half lengths ahead of Grecia girl. Hard to enthuse the others.
Grecia Girl will appreciate the expanses of the Pakenham circuit and and first use of what should be a lovely surface. She should enjoy the run of the race behind the leaders and can get rolling into the home bend. Winning claims.
Currently, Grecia Girl is a $9 chance in the market.
Pakenham
Race 3 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1000m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old mare Over The Stars heads to Pakenham for the first time tonight, a fortnight following an okay effort at Echuca in lesser grade. The daughter of Overshare has had two runs since a freshen-up, beaten four lengths and three lengths respectively, and is likely to appreciate the expanses of the Pakenham track this evening. Jockey Beau Mertens leaves from a wide alley and can cross the field from the chute start, able to turn for home on or outside the speed and offer a kick in the home straight.
Speed is solid enough with Three Point Turn and Cool Charlie to punch forward from low draws, while expect Sideline and Ruby Avenue to tuck in just behind and enjoy a soft passage throughout. Sideline comes here first-up having won on debut last preparation, before a sound effort at Flemington and finding the paddock thereafter. He looked good in a recent jumpout, finding the line nicely behind Jenni The Ninja, who came out and won at Flemington on Saturday. Draws for all the favours and shapes as hardest to beat. Cool Charlie was a strong first-up winner at this trip at Yarra Valley, where the runner-up has since won. He draws to share the lead with Over The Stars and could offer something late. Next best. Each way chances to Regal Secret, who can bounce back after a forgetful first-up effort at Seymour, and Three Point Turn, who should be given every chance from an ideal draw.
Over The Stars needs to improve on her recent form and finds a suitable track to do so this evening. The 1000-metre chute start negates her wide draw, she should find a forward position without spending too many tickets. Her best form has her right in this.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $7 chance in the market.