One of the key races at Pakenham this Saturday is the Pakenham Cup (2500m), where the depth looks solid overall on paper.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Pakenham Cup.
2025 Pakenham Cup Runner Preview:
1. Smokin Romans: He’s been cast for a long time and I suspect that will continue here.
2. Alenquer: Ridden with intent in the Zipping Classic and tried his guts out but just couldn’t quite finish the job. He has that solid run under the belt now and is in the mix as a threat.
3. Etna Rosso: Racing so well but hasn’t been winning. Kept closing in the Zipping Classic and despite drawing wide here, Williams has options. He can win but needs luck.
4. Brayden Star: SCR
5. Post Impressionist: Firmer footing helps but first run for the new stable, I say he’s just a watch only.
6. Monbaher: Needs more racing and time.
7. Statuario: Thought he was there to win the Ballarat Cup last Saturday but just didn’t run 2000m. With that in mind, 2500m has to be a genuine query.
8. Garachico: I think he’s sneaky flying for a race like the Bagot. One for exotics.
9. Strawberry Rock: Freshened up since a plain effort in the Queen Elizabeth. Not for me here.
10. Star Vega: Was okay in the Zipping Classic when outclassed and not suited at WFA. Better suited here, he’s a knockout hope.
11. Black Run: Flying this horse but the ride was the reason he won last time at Caulfield in a race that I think is suspect re depth. He seems way too short for my liking.
12. Firm Agreement: Was keen on him running well in the Ballarat Cup but he just lacked change up speed. But he was quite good to the line and through it so 2500m suits… doubt he wins but a first four threat.
13. Taramansour: Far from disgraced two weeks back at Caulfield behind Black Run. He got off speed and tried to get involved but was never really a factor. He does seem a big track horse so is suited at Pakenham and can run a cheeky race at a price.
14. Diwali: Was good late behind Black Run and I reckon has eyes on the Bagot.
15. Ziryab: Tried his guts out and looked the winner at Caulfield but just found Black Run too good in a blanket finish. He’ll stay, but for mine, lacks the class.
16. Skipper’s Canyon: Going to take a power of beating here provided he jumps clean. He didn’t jump clean at Caulfield and that sealed his fate, but he rocketed to the line behind Opening Address. If he jumps clean, I think he’s the likely winner.
17. Cavity Bay (First Emergency): Good late last Saturday behind Prince Eric but this looks too hard.
18. Haaland (Second Emergency): SCR
2025 Pakenham Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Skipper’s Canyon Tote/SP
Pakenham Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Jamie Mott | 16 | 60kg | ||||
| 2 | ALENQUER (FR) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ben Allen | 9 | 59.5kg | ||||
| 3 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 18 | 59.5kg | ||||
| 5 | POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) | Simon Ryan | Tom Madden | 3 | 57.5kg | ||||
| 6 | MONBAHER (IRE) | Matt Cumani | Cian MacRedmond | 6 | 56.5kg | ||||
| 7 | STATUARIO | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Luke Nolen | 14 | 56kg | ||||
| 8 | GARACHICO (GB) | Dominic Sutton | Daniel Stackhouse | 2 | 55kg | ||||
| 9 | STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 11 | 55kg | ||||
| 10 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Patrick Moloney | 15 | 54.5kg | ||||
| 11 | BLACK RUN (FR) | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ryan Houston (a) | 7 | 54kg | ||||
| 12 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Logan Bates (a) | 1 | 54kg | ||||
| 13 | TARAMANSOUR (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Luke Currie | 10 | 54kg | ||||
| 14 | DIWALI | Gavin Bedggood | Jye McNeil | 8 | 54kg | ||||
| 15 | ZIRYAB (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Michael Dee | 4 | 54kg | ||||
| 16 | SKIPPERS CANYON (NZ) | Phillip Stokes | Lachlan Neindorf | 5 | 54kg | ||||
| 17e | CAVITY BAY | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Fred Kersley | 12 | 54kg | ||||
Pakenham Cup Odds
2025 Pakenham Cup Speed Map
Smokin Romans, a previous winner of the race, will press forward from the wide gate. Black Run and Ziryab won’t be far away, while Alenquer could be given a dig in the ribs to settle near the pace.
