Gilbert Gardiner's Pakenham Synthetic tips: August 18, 2025
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BEST BET
Race 6 No.5 LADY ELSA: Dominant maiden winner last start track and distance, bolted in by 3.3 lengths under a hold. Hard to do again straight away up in grade but strong potential.
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NEXT BEST
Race 1 No.2 IL CUBO: Won nicely first-up at Ballarat and then found the step up to midweek metro company too steep. Back to Ballarat last start and finished second, not beaten far. Strong chance again.
Race 3 No.10 QUEEN OF LIGHT: Could patience be rewarded? The four-year-old first starter has trialled up nicely ahead of debut on the home deck. Solid in early markets.
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VALUE BET
Race 7 No.4 SHOCKSTAR: Suited out in trip. Drawn wide but jockey Jamie Mott has ridden Shockstar three times for two wins. Definite each-way claims in open race.
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LAY OF THE DAY
Race 1 No.1 LAA DE SHA: Too short on recent form, albeit primarily in stronger and metropolitan company. Under the pump a long way from home last start at Echuca on rain-affected ground. Worth a nibble at around $3.50.
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THE JOCKEY – DANIEL STACKHOUSE
The top hoop heads to Pakenham Synthetic for five rides on Monday. LAA DE SHA (Race 1 No.1), THE SECRET (Race 2 No.7), PICK WISELY (Race 5 No.4), AUSTRATA (Race 6 No.2), NIC'S CHOICE (Race 8 No.6).
Gilbert Gardiner
Sports reporter
Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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