Fourteen stayers have been confirmed in the final field for Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m), following the completion of a barrier draw for the Victorian feature race this morning.
Swacadelic has been confirmed in the 2016 Pakenham Cup field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Pilote D’essai stormed home to win the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) a fortnight ago, and has been confirmed by the Lindsay Park operation in the 2016 Pakenham Cup field.
Beginning his career in France under the guidance of prominent trainer Andre Fabre, Pilote D’essai was purchased and transferred to the care of David Hayes and co. at the conclusion of a smart 2015 campaign.
Resuming this time for consecutive second-place finishes in the VRC Member Daniel Maher Handicap (1400m) and Westar Trucks Isuzu Handicap (1500m), the Oasis Dream entire placed fifth in the talent-rich Spring Is The Season Handicap (1700m) on September 10th before again running second in the Alannah Hill BM90 (1600m).
Failing to make anything of an impact when ninth in the Twitter Trophy (1800m) on Crown Oaks Day, Pilote D’essai’s dominant win last time out suggests that he will be extremely difficult to beat on Saturday, particularly after drawing into the Pakenham Cup field in barrier 3.
Swacadelic is stepping back in distance into the Pakenham Cup field, but should find a good position off the early pace from barrier 9.
Posting a career total of five wins and a further seven minors through thirty-one starts, Swacadelic has undoubtedly found his best condition through a busy 2016 racing calendar.
Winner of the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) most notably earlier this year, the Adlerflug gelding took a few runs to return to peak condition this time, but ran on well for fifth in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 19th.
Progressing to fourth in the Prince Of Penzance Plate (2800m) on Melbourne Cup Day, Swacadelic was last seen finishing a close second behind Qewy in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) on November 2nd.
Nigel Blackiston is unsure if Desert Jeuney will get the trip in the Pakenham Cup, but the gelding has drawn into the race ideally in barrier 4 and will be given every chance with only 57.5kgs in tow.
Clearly needing the run when twelfth in the Listed Paris Lane Handicap (1400m), before he also failed to beat a runner home in the Listed Sale Cup (1600m), Desert Jeuney savaged the line for third in the Listed James Boag’s Premium Stakes (1800m) on November 1st.
Failing to handle the late pace when thirteenth in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on November 12th, the Desert King gelding ran on well for seventh in the Ballarat Cup last time out.
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2016 Pakenham Cup Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 402846×224 | PUCCINI (NZ) | Wayne Walters | Stephen Baster | 7 | 60kg | 100 |
| 2 | 4x1x225291 | PILOTE D’ESSAI (GB) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss (a) | 3 | 58kg | 96 |
| 3 | x4740x0080 | AUVRAY (FR) | Darren Weir | – | 14 | 57.5kg | 95 |
| 4 | 06x0x08307 | DESERT JEUNEY | Nigel Blackiston | – | 4 | 57.5kg | 95 |
| 5 | 519125×679 | LORD VAN PERCY (GB) | Darren Weir | – | 10 | 56.5kg | 93 |
| 6 | 34×6400542 | SWACADELIC (GER) | Aaron Purcell | Craig Williams | 9 | 56kg | 92 |
| 7 | 4x1x326x16 | LITTLE WHITE CLOUD (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Ms Katelyn Mallyon | 13 | 54kg | 85 |
| 8 | 1339316101 | CINNAMON CARTER | Robbie Laing | Jake Bayliss (a) | 11 | 54kg | 84 |
| 9 | x576x90848 | CRAFTY CRUISER | Bryce Stanaway | Jye McNeil (a) | 5 | 54kg | 84 |
| 10 | 1323x9x965 | THUNDER TEDDINGTON (GB) | Jason Warren | Craig Newitt | 2 | 54kg | 80 |
| 11 | 22911×4109 | SLY ROMANCE (NZ) | Richard Laming | Ben Allen (a) | 6 | 54kg | 76 |
| 12 | 029×962386 | TRANSFER ALLOWANCE | Peter Roche | Chris Symons | 8 | 54kg | 75 |
| 13 | 29×0944793 | ARIANNE (NZ) | Pat Hyland | – | 1 | 54kg | 70 |
| 14 | 21x2297x56 | PLATYPUS DUCK | Erin Maher | – | 12 | 54kg | 65 |
