Pakenham
Race 5 – Quick Fingers
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 5
Three-year-old filly Quick Fingers finds a competitive maiden at Pakenham tonight where the stable are hoping she can convert good performances into a deserved win. The daughter of Caravaggio has been placed three times from seven runs and has been a consistent performer, but hasn’t managed to strike a blow in the win column. She made good ground at Warrnambool last start and a repeat performance will see her right in the finish here. Pakenham has been racing fairly as it always does but the rail is out tonight due to a heavy load of recent racing, so the early races on the card will give a guide to any on-pace bias or pattern. Three rivals are quoted around the $4 mark in this and they are hard to split. Chenzel finished runner-up to Dawn County last start, that horse came out and won again so the form stacks up. Nevicata ran into the red-hot Marble Arch first-up but raced a bit flat as favourite at her next start. She can bounce back. Symbolica is the other runner in the market but the form from her last start third-placing isn’t strong. Step Forward will kick up from its inside barrier and look to hold the lead, if there is any hint of an on-speed bias it comes right into this. Jockey John Allen can position Quick Fingers midfield behind the speed and hook wide rounding the home bend to make a finishing burst. This is an even contest and The Dwyer runner can finish top-three or better without surprising.
Currently, Quick Fingers is a $7.50 chance in the market.