Pakenham (synthetic)
Race 8 – Morpurgo
Jockey – Liam Riordan
1600m – Barrier 11
Last start winner Morpurgo returns to Pakenham looking to go back-to-back over a mile on the synthetic. The four-year-old son of Toronado was excellent first-up, drawing wide and sitting outside the lead before taking over in the home straight, running away with a 3.5-length win. Jockey Liam Riordan has drawn poorly again today and will look to be positive to find a forward position in the early stages.
Early speed has been affected by scratchings, leaving Rocket Boy to roll forward from out wide with Morpurgo, while Korolev can use the inside alley to hold a forward position in the run. Lawbreaker is drawn to get a lovely sit behind the leaders, and where Korobeiniki lands in the run could hold the key to the race. This galloper was a good winner from the back first-up in this grade over 1400-metres and may again elect to drift back from a middle draw. She’ll want a solid tempo up front and if she gets it, will be hard to hold out. Effort is another who will settle towards the rear of the field and has a good record at this track and trip (3:2-0-0). He’s up in class here but must be considered an each way chance. Lawbreaker is racing consistently and maps to get the run of the race. She’s got some ground to make up on the Dwyer galloper but shouldn’t be discarded as an each way chance.
Morpurgo couldn’t have been more impressive when fresh and this doesn’t look much harder than that event. He’ll need to begin cleanly to punch forward and find a position outside the lead but if he holds his form from a fortnight ago, will take beating again here.
Currently, Morpurgo is a $3.90 chance in the market.