23/1/2026 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Pakenham, Australia Stakes night

Night racing continues at Pakenham this Friday, headlined by the Australia Stakes (1200m). Weather is fine, track is good (4) and the rail is out two metres for the entire circuit.

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8 Invincible Lover (Bet Now:  $SP.00) for me in the opener. She debuted three weeks ago over 1000m at Cranbourne when beaten for early toe but tracked up and finished off strong when second. Better for the run and with an extra 100m, she’s going to take holding out.

11 Shapenapit (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is bursting to win. She ran second over 1000m at Mornington last start, closing with real purpose from off speed when second to Thanks Gorgeous, who won last Saturday to frank the form. Hard to beat against these.

7 Glisk (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should be better for the debut run, which came at Yarra Valley. I don’t think she handled the tight track at all and was never really a factor. Had jumped out well prior so I am not dismissing her just yet.

2 I Only Wish (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has had a few runs at 1800m and is racing like 2000m will be fine. She ran at Flemington last start, trying hard from just off speed but had to settle for a second to Tarvue. Maps perfect and strikes a very winnable race. Happy to be in her corner.

1 Hurry Curry (Bet Now:  $SP.00) ran fourth to Tarvue in the race mentioned above. She got into a decent spot in transit just off speed and I thought was there to threaten but she just whacked late. That does suggest a rise in trip will suit so I say she’s one of the leading contenders.

3 Bon Vete (Bet Now:  $SP.00) ran sixth to Tarvue in the same race. She was near last in the run and in a race dominated near the front, she was never a threat but did clock good late splits. More genuine tempo, within range, she can launch late.

4 Pick N Mix (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has been given a mini freshen up since a returning failure at Caulfield Heath where she landed on speed and tired late. She was a mess pre race so she had excuses and her recent jumpout win was very sharp. If she brings her best, I think she’s too good for these.

9 Foxenberg (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Clayton Douglas trained gelding that resumes. He looked very promising early on in his career but the wheels fell off soon after. Given a good break and looks to have jumped out well for the return so watch betting.

2 Charmed Run (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should be better for the first up run, which came over 1000m at Warrnambool. She got back in the run and closed with real purpose late when second. If within range, she has the finale to be dangerous.

2 Yolo (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is the each way play here I think. Strong on speed win at Seymour when resuming before going to Sandown when on speed and fought on really well in defeat behind impressive winner Expulsion. Will sit near the front and for mine, he only runs well.

1 Hello Romeo (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should be better for the first up run, which came at Flemington on New Years Eve when leading and he gave a decent sight but had no answers for Celerity. Good racing style, good upside, he appeals.

3 Wiltshire Square (Bet Now:  $SP.00) resumed over 1000m at Flemington on New Years Eve. She was near the speed throughout and tried hard but first up, condition gave way. Maps to stalk the speed and be effective late.

6 Global Eclipse (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is getting close to D Day and a life ban but this looks such a winnable race for him. He ran over 2100m at Sandown last start when off speed and was okay late without threatening. Just hoping for a more positive ride and I think he has the quality to take care of these.

3 Avenues (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a son of Reset that resumes for Mick Kent. He hasn’t raced since June 6 when down the track over 2400m at Swan Hill. Fresh at 2000m signals intent and he has jumped out well for the return. Knockout hope.

9 Nordic Belle (Bet Now:  $SP.00) steps up to 2000m after racing over the mile at Werribee where she was just off speed and although one paced when asked, she kept finding the line in defeat. 2000m should be fine and is a key threat.

1 Aliano (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is in a purple patch for Robbie Griffiths and rates highly. He has won two on the bounce, making a mess of them two back in a Sale maiden before proving that was no fluke with a dominant display at Sandown at the midweeks. Heading in the right direction and is hard to beat against these, with 1400m looking no issue.

5 Power Cable (Bet Now:  $SP.00) seems a big price. Solid effort over 1400m at Cranbourne last time. She got into a decent spot in transit just off speed and tried hard but just couldn’t quite get there when fourth. Maps to do no work and her best is good enough to be dangerous.

11 Mislead (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is two weeks between runs since racing at this track/distance behind Blistering where she didn’t get the rub of the green in the straight and I think you can easily make a case to say she fights the finish out with clear air. Must for multiples.

1 War Machine (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is short enough but there is a reason for this. He has lengths on this lot. Resumes after a Spring prep where he resumed with an absolute bang before down the track efforts in The Everest and Russell Balding. Jumped out super to my eye and all things being equal, he takes care of these.

I am very interested in 8 Jimmy Recard (Bet Now:  $SP.00). He hasn’t raced since the Coolmore Stud on Derby Day when outclassed but I thought far from disgraced in defeat behind Tentyris. Loved his recent jumpout, he’ll be strong at the end of 1200m, has class…commands respect.

3 Maharba (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is an improver for Beggy. Thought he jumped out well prior to resuming in the Standish and yes, was nearer the inside on the worst ground, but still expected more. Fitter and suited at WFA, couldn’t back to win, but can run top three/four.

1 Paradise City (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should be winning this for Moody/Coleman. Latest run was two weeks ago at Flemington, chasing with purpose from just off speed but couldn’t quite get there when second to Porter. Hard to beat, provided she gets luck from a potentially sticky draw.

2 Stage N Screen (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has fresh legs for Mark Walker after a strong win on Boxing Day. She was there to be beaten but she found under pressure to fend them off and score. Maps ideally, in well after the claim, she’s the key/only danger, if any.

11 Drone Attack (Bet Now:  $SP.00) ran a couple of weeks back at the midweeks at Sandown. She got back to near last in the run and while she was never a winning threat, she kept chasing and was a definite pass mark behind Fluent. Maps to settle closer and be effective late.

BEST BET: Race Seven Number 1 War Machine

NEXT BEST: Race Six Number 1 Aliano

LONG SHOT: Race Four Number 2 Yolo

Quaddie (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 6

Leg Two: 1

Leg Three: 1

Leg Four: 1

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