Best Bets – Saturday 13th December

ETNA ROSSO, although drawn out in the car park, should still be the one they have to beat here in the Pakenham Cup. He gets Craig Williams on board to steer and has been meeting tougher opposition in his recent races over the spring carnival. Should enjoy the wide open spaces of the Pakenham track and will certainly run the trip right out.

PRIVATE EYE returns to Victoria chasing the big prize on offer for this year’s Supernova. Two runs back he won the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield in easy fashion beating Warnie and then only went down 5 lengths to Jimmysstar at Randwick. Looks well placed at the weights for a horse with his credentials and he should prove hard to beat.

Thought THE BLACK CLOUD would be the benchmark here in this sprint event after a solid second in The Warra at Kembla Grange last start. She has been finding it hard to win of late but should be primed after that first-up run and has won second-up in the past. She will go forward and be the one they will have to beat.

MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO got back into the winners stall last start after a run of outings and should be primed third-up to add another win to her resume. Ryan Maloney gets the ride again and he should be able to settle just in behind the speed. Hoping she can get clear air in the straight and show that nice turn of hoof she possesses.

Having a throw at the stumps in The Gold Rush and will be having something on the five-year-old mare SUPER SMINK. She is racing well and simply got too far back in the Railway from wide draw but found the line well. From the low barrier, she should settle much closer and has not missed a place over track/distance in six starts. Definitely worth an each-way play.