Pakenham Preview & Best Bets – 15/03/2024

Our form expert provides tips for today’s Pakenham horse racing at Pakenham Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Pakenham Tips 15/03/2024

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 8 No. 3 ASHRUN- ($3.75) 

The feature is the Pakenham Cup and I are keen on ASHRUN to end a three-year drought. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has been off the scene for a large chunk of that time, missing just under three years before returning last spring with some excellent performances that included a runner-up in the Geelong Cup (2400m) and a 4th in the Melbourne Cup (3200m). He is the class runner and resumed with a 4th over the 2000m at Caulfield behind Dunkel on February 24. They went slow early in that race and he was snagged back from the barrier before producing the fastest late splits. 2500m should be right up his alley and he is the one to beat. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 7 No. 7 METRICAL- ($5.60) 

METRICAL can just about make it back to back wins when he steps out in Race 7. The Mike Moroney-trained galloper took out a Restricted 64 race over the 1400m at Ballarat on February 25, overcoming traffic in the straight to win from Savvy Bee. The former Kiwi appreciated the step up in trip that day to go 2.2 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is the best last start figure of any runner. He was an improver on figures when third up at his last campaign and draws barrier 2 with Jamie Mott to ride. He provides a 28% profit on turnover when combining with the stable.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 2 No. 2 MANHATTAN THUNDER- ($6.50) 

This looks to be a suitable assignment for MANHATTAN THUNDER. The John Sadler-trained galloper was a winner in this grade over the 1000m when first up before tackling a BenchMark 70 at Flemington on January 20 and running 8th behind Mornington Glory. He was slowly away that day in a race where the form has held up. At his most recent start, the son of Manhattan Rain drew wide at Sale and settled midfield before working home to finish just over half a length away in 4th position. He should be right at his peak at his fourth run this time in and draws perfectly in barrier 3 with Jye McNeil to ride.