Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Victoria · Friday 2 October 2026
Our top pick won 4 of 8 races at Pakenham Synthetic. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Freedman filly who has run to a winning standard in two recent starts, including a strong closing effort at Sale. Ideal barrier two should see her settle handy on a track that rewards forward positions. Craig Williams is booked and the stable is flying. The most reliable type in a moderate maiden and the one to beat.
Ben Allen is riding well and there are no stable negatives.
Made excellent ground on debut at Mornington, charging from last to run second with the strongest closing effort in the field for an in-form stable. The step to 1200m suits, but he must give away a start from a wide draw at a track that clearly rewards forward positions.
Likely leader from the inside alley with blinkers applied first time, a scenario that plays to Pakenham Synthetic's on-pace bias. She ran second in a Super Maiden on heavy ground and has placed twice.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Ektifire | 2 | Craig Williams | Anthony and Sam Freedman | 55kg | $2.60 |
| 2nd | 5 | Sihaya | 5 | Luke Currie | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 57.5kg | $7.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Armorware | 8 | Daniel Stackhouse | Matt Laurie | 57kg | $3.70 |
| 4th | 9 | Chapel Belle | 7 | Luke Cartwright | John Moloney | 53.5kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Beast Fighter | 4 | Damien Thornton | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 59.5kg | $4.60 |
| 6th | 3 | Acharnee | 1 | Michael Dee | Reece Goodwin | 57.5kg | $15.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Home And A Bay | 10 | Ben Allen | Leon, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin | 57kg | $11.00 |
| 8th | 2 | Hansard | 3 | Teodore Nugent | Ian Pankhurst | 59.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 4 | In A Tizzy | 6 | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Civic Square | 12 | Greg Eurell | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Masochistic | 11 | Clinton McDonald | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Swift Star | 9 | Lloyd Kennewell | 55kg |
In race 2 at Pakenham Synthetic, where forward and inside runners are advantaged, she should control the tempo. The queries are the drop to 1000m and whether she holds off the closers late.
He gets a hot jockey and should be charging late with a fast tempo predicted. But he has never raced at 1000m, draws wide and settles back, so he needs the race to unfold his way — which is why he is not the top pick.
He drops sharply in grade, maps to settle handy and takes a synthetic hoof filler first time, a sign this has been the target.
Roughie who maps well: second-up, drawn 5 and likely to sit handy off the speed, and he placed over 1000m at Pakenham two starts ago.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 13 | Senza Nome | 8 | Thomas Stockdale | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 58kg | $14.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Resonant | 10 | Ethan Brown | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 58kg | $2.25 |
| 3rd | 7 | Gimonnet | 12 | Craig Williams | Anthony and Sam Freedman | 56kg | $4.80 |
| 4th | 15 | Nautique | 9 | Jye McNeil | Charlotte Littlefield | 56kg | $21.00 |
| 5th | 11 | Model Gigi | 2 | Jamie Mott | John McArdle | 56kg | $8.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Miss Home Body | 6 | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 56kg | $16.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Mr Sapphire | 5 | Daniel Stackhouse | John Moloney | 58kg | $14.00 |
| 8th | 12 | Teddy's Trotter | 15 | Damien Thornton | Mitchell Leek | 56kg | $26.00 |
| 9th | 16 | Inside Word | 13 | Holly Durnan | Leon, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin | 58kg | $71.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Mardaloop | 7 | Nadia Daniels | Vincent Hall | 56kg | $26.00 |
| 11th | 6 | Divine Dame | 14 | Ben Allen | Charlotte Littlefield | 56kg | $9.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Keen Observer | 16 | Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Valaroso | 11 | Cindy Alderson | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Call Me Later | 1 | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Kiss Me In Paris | 3 | Mark W Walker | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Boy From Zadar | 4 | Paul Koumis | 58kg |
Won over this trip at Caulfield Heath last start in the best recent showing of any runner here, settling third and finishing strongly. She is the only horse in the field proven at 1600m, with two wins and a placing from six attempts, and Ben Allen has ridden her for three wins from seven. She rises from restricted mares company into an open 74, but she is fit, consistent and her economical racing style suits Pakenham Synthetic.
The class runner of the field, a winner over 1400m at Caulfield in open company who has since contested stronger races. He drops back into a Bench 74 off two plain runs, both on rain-affected ground, and the switch to a dry synthetic surface should suit him better. The queries are the step to 1600m for the first time and a get-back pattern that needs a genuine tempo in front of him.
Lightly raced four-year-old with the best tactical profile in a race lacking a genuine leader. He should settle in the first couple, carries only 53kg with a claim, and has won on heavy ground and placed on soft, suggesting he handles a range of conditions. The jump from restricted company to an open 74 and a plain effort at Mornington last start are the concerns, but he has upside at only three starts.
Owns the best map in the race - the lone leader from the inside gate, dropping sharply in class from stronger company. Two wins from as many starts on soft ground and a win at the mile are encouraging, though his recent outings were over staying trips where he tired late. With no pressure up front in a slowly-run contest he can dictate and prove hard to run down.
Second-up for Chris Waller after a solid second over 1500m at Mornington, where he settled fourth and ran on well. His second-up record reads one win and a placing from three, and the jockey-trainer combination strikes at a healthy rate.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Two Wolves | 6 | Jamie Mott | Anthony and Sam Freedman | 58.5kg | $2.05 |
| 2nd | 6 | All Business | 9 | Ben Allen | Leon, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin | 56.5kg | $4.60 |
| 3rd | 8 | Mr Sioux | 7 | Jabez Johnstone | Ciaron Maher | 53kg | $3.10 |
| 4th | 7 | Rock Them Jools | 5 | Jye McNeil | Chris Waller | 55kg | $9.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Xtra Rush | 1 | Richard Laming | 61.5kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | Fridge Monster | 8 | Dean Binaisse | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Breathless Spirit | 10 | Archie Alexander | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Haaracaine | 3 | Nick Ryan | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Kiwi Jenni | 2 | Ciaron Maher | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Delightful Journey | 4 | Christine Sexton | 55kg |
The most progressive runner in the race. Unbeaten in two starts over 1000m and drops sharply in class after mixing it in a rich two-year-old feature. Both sprint wins came with a strong late surge, and he trialled nicely ahead of this. Blake Shinn's booking is a plus and he maps to settle just off a hot speed. Barrier eight is the main concern.
Genuine 1000m specialist with four wins from seven at the trip, and from barrier three he maps to lead or sit handy, the ideal spot here. Yet he has been well beaten both times at this higher level and now rises further in class off a jump-out.
John Allen and the Freedman yard are in form. Queries: first look at 1000m, a sharp class rise and a plain last-start fourth.
Won well first-up and improves second-up. Maps to settle around fifth behind a hot speed, an ideal trail.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Room For Bingo | 9 | Remi Tremsal | Rebecca Waymouth | 55kg | $18.00 |
| 2nd | 6 | The Speed Machine | 8 | Blake Shinn | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 55kg | $3.10 |
| 3rd | 2 | Jennyanydots | 10 | Jye McNeil | Mitchell Freedman | 58kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 7 | Leantothemoon | 4 | Samantha Noble | Steven Noble | 55kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Speir | 3 | Sam Kennedy | Nathan McPherson | 56.5kg | $2.35 |
| 6th | 4 | Mr Tickles | 1 | Daniel Stackhouse | Mitchell Leek | 55.5kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 10 | Phoenix Flyer | 2 | Sarah Robbins | Brendon Newport | 55kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Yukaina | 6 | Mitchell Freedman | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Walter Spur | 7 | Trevor Rogers | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Bella Cinque | 5 | Logan McGill | 55kg |
Gets a strong rider and her form lines stack up at this level. The knock is a modest second-up record and a habit of being run down late, so if the two leaders cut at each other she is beatable, but her best is clearly good enough.
Arrives off the best form in the race, including a win in stronger company and a placing at Flemington, and drops in grade today. The queries are the sharpest trip of her career and a first look at the synthetic.
Topweight mare who has been going well, winning at Sandown two starts back and tuned up with a jumpout win. The concern is 62kg over the sharpest trip, plus a poor record at 1000m and on the synthetic.
In-form mare who won at Bendigo last start and is rarely far away. She maps to settle around midfield with the speed on in front, which suits her style, and her rider has a good record on her.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Headbanger | 8 | Blake Shinn | Grahame Begg | 59kg | $1.90 |
| 2nd | 4 | Iced Poppy | 10 | Lachlan King | Ben Brisbourne | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 2 | Milos Filos | 6 | Alana Kelly | Liam Howley | 60.5kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 10 | Shooting For Stars | 5 | Sarah Robbins | Brendon Newport | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Sweet Vixen | 9 | Logan Bates | Cindy Alderson | 54kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Shaime | 3 | Ethan Brown | Clifford Brown | 62kg | $9.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Soju | 4 | Reece Goodwin | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Le Notre | 1 | Richard Laming | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Parcae | 2 | Anthony and Sam Freedman | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Fontalicious | 7 | S Nichols and H Black | 55kg |
The best-performed runner here on recent evidence: he closed hard for fifth in a much stronger race last start and ran a bold third over 2250m in Adelaide before that. He is proven at the trip, has placed here over 2200m, drops sharply in grade and lands the inside draw. From midfield he can stalk the leaders and be improving into the race approaching the turn — exactly the profile that wins at this track.
His Caulfield Heath second was a strong effort and the top jockey plus staying stable are a big plus. The knock is the map: in a slowly-run staying race he may settle too far back and give the leader a soft time, and he is yet to prove himself over 2200m.
An improving three-year-old colt who drops out of a much stronger race into this grade. He won his maiden with a strong late finish and then ran a good third at Caulfield. The queries are the trip and the draw — he is likely to get back from a wide gate over 2200m for the first time, so he will need honest tempo and a clear run to be a factor.
The likely lone leader in a race that shapes slowly run, which gives him a genuine chance to pinch it. The risks are top weight, a rise in class and a plain first-up effort after a jumping campaign.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 14 | Nothingelsematters | 1 | Luke Cartwright | Nikki Burke | 56.5kg | $3.90 |
| 2nd | 8 | Killenaule | 2 | John Allen | Ciaron Maher | 58.5kg | $1.85 |
| 3rd | 12 | Frank Whisper | 10 | Daniel Stackhouse | Matt Laurie | 56kg | $4.60 |
| 4th | 11 | Fiery Deal | 3 | Ben Allen | Peter Gelagotis | 56.5kg | $15.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Eye For An Eye | 8 | Lachlan Neindorf | Andrea Leek | 61kg | $11.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Tishman | 5 | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Foix | 15 | Ciaron Maher | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Melek | 14 | Ciaron Maher | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Terrortorian | 11 | Nick Ryan | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Island Boy | 9 | Jamie Mott | Julius Sandhu | 58.5kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Kazungula | 6 | Jarrod Robinson | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Placentia Bay | 16 | Shane Jackson | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Callmeanicon | 12 | Bill Papazaharoudakis | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Stuntman | 7 | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Chocolate Royal | 4 | Pat Carey and Harris Walker | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Olney | 13 | Greg Eurell | 57.5kg |
Won here over this trip on synthetic last preparation, then closed strongly for second at Bm70 level, the best recent form in the field. Maps to stalk a slow, lone leader from second or third, exactly the economical setup this circuit rewards. Two wins and a second from three tries at the trip. Rates clearly on top.
Consistency is his forte and he is well weighted. The query is the map: he has been settling deep and this looks a slowly run contest, so he may need luck to get into it, but his form demands respect.
The map horse. He is the only genuine leader and with a slow tempo expected he can dictate terms and conserve energy, the setup this circuit rewards most. He led and held on for second at this grade last start and ran to a winning standard on speed two starts ago.
The value runner. He drops sharply in grade, is a proven 1400m performer with a win at this track and trip, and closed hard for fifth against much stronger opposition last start.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Cashout | 7 | Jamie Melham | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 60kg | $1.90 |
| 2nd | 11 | Happy Link | 2 | Damian Lane | Greg Eurell | 58kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 8 | Let It Beel | 4 | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 59.5kg | $11.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Keane Enuff | 5 | Lachlan Neindorf | Andrea Leek | 62kg | $17.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Barking Mad | 6 | Beau Mertens | Chris Waller | 60.5kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 14 | Finance Shogun | 9 | Brad Rawiller | Shea Eden | 59kg | $10.00 |
| 7th | 10 | Castellito | 3 | Jordan Childs | Grahame Begg | 58.5kg | $7.50 |
| Scr | 1 | Cobblestone Way | 14 | Amy and Ash Yargi | 62kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Camp Cable | 13 | Lee and Shannon Hope | 61kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Dollar Chaser | 16 | Bill Papazaharoudakis | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Mount Sabyinyo | 12 | Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Lyrics 'n' Song | 15 | Mark W Walker | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Diamond Eye | 11 | Reece Goodwin | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Regal Might | 10 | John McArdle | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Belcony | 1 | Reece Goodwin | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Kingsbury | 8 | Clinton McDonald | 58kg |
The one true leader here and the tempo shapes in his favour on a surface that strongly rewards forward runners. Won his latest start and had placed at this level before, so the class rise is manageable, and he drops 4kg. His 1200m record is the best staying credential in the field.
A 1200m specialist who won both of her second-up starts and ran a solid 3rd at this exact grade last start after a freshen-up. The stable/jockey pairing has a strong record together.
Lightly raced and improving, she drops from stronger mares' company after winning at this trip and level two starts back. She races handy, which the leader-friendly track rewards, and both her jockey and trainer have excellent strike-rates at Pakenham. The wide draw is the knock, but she has the upside, the map and the trip to be right in the finish.
An improving mare whose jockey has a strong record on her, and the blinkers come off first time to help her settle.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Persian Caviar | 11 | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 59kg | $3.70 |
| 2nd | 3 | King West | 6 | Caitlin Hollowood | Enver Jusufovic | 57.5kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 11 | Shystar | 2 | Lachlan Neindorf | Phillip and Tommy Stokes | 58kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 5 | Attachments | 14 | Holly Durnan | Archie Alexander | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 5th | 4 | Rich On Bubbles | 5 | Nadia Daniels | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 57.5kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 10 | The Volta | 13 | Logan Bates | John Moloney | 57kg | $3.20 |
| Scr | 1 | Electric Elvis | 8 | Reece Goodwin | 61.5kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | Wolf Twenty One | 3 | Shane Jackson | 61kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Express Class | 9 | Patrick Moloney | Gerard Moloney | 60kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Fehmarn | 7 | Rebecca Waymouth | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Legacy Bay | 4 | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | One Day At A Time | 16 | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Blue Bandit | 15 | Andrea Leek | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Karren | 12 | Lloyd Kennewell | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Balance | 10 | Clinton McDonald | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Purgatorio | 1 | Anthony and Sam Freedman | 55.5kg |
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