Raceday focus: Pakenham tips, odds and analysis

Jockey Luke Currie is poised for a big night with Team McEvoy at Pakenham. BEST BETS, ANALYSIS

Herald Sun form analyst Gilbert Gardiner runs the rule over the eight-race card for Pakenham on Thursday night.

BEST BET

DIAMONDS‘N’STONES (Race 5, No.3 — $5)

Looked progressive winning at Kilmore and Hawkes runners seldom go backwards in preparations. The short-priced favourite, DUKE OF NEWORLEANS, the obvious danger.

NEXT BEST

ZOUTELLUS (Race 2, No.9 — $5.50)

Placed in all three starts to date and given time to mature. Awkward draw but gets Craig Williams to do the steering. Looks hard to beat.

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VALUE BET

COUP DE TONNERRE (Race 6, No.10 — $5.50)

First-up after a long break but the market and booking of Craig Williams suggests the Night Of Thunder colt is wound up to be a contender. Mixed form as a two-year-old but form behind stablemate Khoekhoe jumps off the page.

CATEGORY FIVE (Race 7, No.2 — $8.50)

Improved out of sight second-up last prep then won three on the bounce. Likes to get out and run so should look the winner in the straight.

Luke Currie will team up with Team McEvoy in search of winners at Pakenham. Picture: Getty Images

THE JOCKEY

LUKE CURRIE

Top jockey has been getting around the country, with recent rides in Queensland and Tasmania, but he lands at Pakenham with a nice book of Tony and Calvin McEvoy runners.

RACE AGAINST TIME (R1, No.4 — $4.20), FIGHTER (R3, No.2 — $1.85), GLITZY GIRL (R4, No.8 — $4.20) and ELUDING (R7, No.6 — $3.70).

Originally published as Raceday focus: Pakenham tips, odds and analysis