Brad Waters’ best bets and value play for Pakenham races Thursday night

An impressive last-start winner can measure up to a tougher assignment while a perennial placegetter can finally notch a deserved win at Thursday night’s Pakenham meeting.

Gala Queen will shoot for second straight win at Pakenham when she steps out on her home track on Thursday night. Picture: Racing Photos

Form analyst Brad Waters looks at Thursday’s meeting at Pakenham., where he is keen on a runner at double figure odds.

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BEST BET
GALA QUEEN (Race 5 No. 4 – $3.70)

The Phillip Stokes-trained mare charged home to win easily when resuming. She’s up in class but can win again on Thursday.

NEXT BEST
ILLUMINANCE (Race 4 No. 6 – $3.70)
She has had a few near misses and bumped into a promising type last start but should be hard to hold out again.

NOTHINGELSEMATTERS (Race 8 No. 8 – $6.50)
The gelding took time to get going but ran on well at Mornington first-up. The bigger Pakenham track will suit this time.

VALUE BET
AL PRANCER (Race 3 No. 2 – $10)
The three-year-old wasn’t far away on debut last month but has been freshened since. He can show up again at decent odds.

THE JOCKEY
CRAIG NEWITT
The veteran hoop heads to Pakenham for six rides on Thursday. HE’S A TIGER (Race 1 No. 2 – $3.60), ROCK MELODY (Race 2 No. 8 – $26), AL PRANCER (Race 3 No. 2 – $10), CHAMPAGNE JENNI (Race 4 No. 9 – $9), INTIMEOFNEED (Race 5 No. 9 – $19), STELLA BYSTARLIGHT (Race 6 No. 11 – $151).

Originally published as Brad Waters’ best bets and value play for Pakenham races Thursday night