| What | Pakenham Races |
| Where | Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 |
| When | Thursday, January 18, 2024 |
| First Race | 5:45pm AEDT |
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Racing returns to Pakenham on Thursday night, where an eight-race program is scheduled, headlined by another two heats of the Future Stars series. With rain forecast in the region on Wednesday, it is unlikely we will be racing on anything better than a Soft surface, with the rail out 3m the entire circuit. Action from Pakenham Racecourse is set to commence at 5:45pm AEDT.
Best Bet at Pakenham: Plus Fours
Phillip Stokes will leg up Damian Lane aboard Plus Fours who will be looking to go one better than his last two runner-up performances at Caulfield. The five-year-old gelding has chased home Kusini and Mrs Chrissie in arguably tougher contests than what he faces on Thursday night, and despite needing to lug 60kg, he looks well-placed. From barrier six, Lane will look to have the son of Cable Bay settled outside lead throughout, and exert his dominance late. When asked to quicken, Plus Fours should prove too good for a BM64 against a field like this.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Plus Fours (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Damian Lane (60kg)
Bet with Neds
Next Best at Pakenham: The Ballet Dancer
The Ballet Dancer looks ready to peak third-up from a spell after being narrowly defeated at Cranbourne on January 5. The Rock ‘n’ Pop mare was hitting the line better than most of her rivals late on, but would miss in a driving finish over 1600m. Despite staying at the mile, the five-year-old mare looks to bring the right form into a race like this, and from barrier seven, she should gain a nice run in transit throughout. With a win to her name when third-up in the past, The Ballet Dancer will be primed for this, and barring any bad luck, she should be winning.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#5 The Ballet Dancer (7)
5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Daniel Stackhouse (58kg)
Bet with Picklebet
Best Value at Pakenham: Magic Defense
Jerome Hunter’s Magic Defense didn’t have much luck at Mornington on January 1, but did hit the line nicely to suggest she would not be in maiden company for too long. The National Defense progeny was held up for clear running until the final 150m, but once clear made up nice ground. She gains the services of Damian Lane on Thursday night, which can only be a positive move, and from barrier seven should have clear air when it matters most. The long Pakenham straight will give her time to build through her gears, and with a well-timed sprint, Magic Defense can salute in the quaddie opener.
Best Value
Race 5 – 
#11 Magic Defense (7)
3yo Filly | T: Jerome Hunter | J: Damian Lane (56kg)
Bet with Playup
Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham
Pakenham quadrella selections
Thursday, January 18, 2024
- 1-5-7-11
- 3-8-10-12
- 2-5
- 3-6-7-10-11
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