Pakenham Race 4 - Chef's Hat Mdn Plate
VOLTRIX (8) has the clearest race form, having been beaten a nose as favourite on debut at Geelong before keeping up to the mark with a close Flemington trial second. He was professional enough to track into the race and only just missed, any natural improvement sees him go close. BERARDO (2) is the most interesting debutant after a comfortable Caulfield Heath trial win, and the Blake Shinn-Mark Walker combination suggests he'll be ready to go. ACE STRIKE (1) was safely held first-up, but he began awkwardly at Sandown-Hillside, has trialled close-up since and is drawn to get every chance, look for improvement. SLUGGER (7) also arrives with trial substance, including a Cranbourne win, and the Price and Kent stable are worth respecting, especially at this track where they strike well.
Jockey: Jamie Mott
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a two-month freshening after a debut fifth at Sandown-Hillside, where he began awkwardly and was beaten just over six lengths after starting near the top of an open market. A close Cranbourne trial since keeps him in the conversation, and barrier one gives Jamie Mott the chance to use his natural speed more cleanly. Should give a sight.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/5 | 19/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 1000m | Lachlan Neindorf | 0:59.80 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/7 | 09/09/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $55,000.00 | Sandown-Hillside | 1200m | Soft 7 | Blake Shinn | 58kg | 1:14.14 | 1-1-5 | 1 |
| 6.4L | $5.00 |
| 2/9 | 24/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Blake Shinn | 0:50.20 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Makes his debut with a useful trial base, highlighted by a comfortable Caulfield Heath win after earlier Cranbourne jump-outs. Mark Walker has a solid debut record and Blake Shinn is a significant booking, so there is enough intent around him first time out. Wide draw is the query but he should be ready to run a big race.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 01/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Caulfield Heath | 800m | Good | Michael Dee | 0:47.66 | - | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 7/16 | 14/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Soft | Michael Dee | 0:46.44 | - | 0 |
| 8.96L | $0.00 | |
| 2/8 | 17/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Michael Dee | 0:50.75 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/8 | 27/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Lachlan Neindorf | 0:46.41 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/9 | 23/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Lachlan Neindorf | 0:50.10 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jake Noonan
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Had excuses when sixth at Moe last start, beginning slowly, racing keenly and being held up from the 250m before finishing beaten three and a half lengths. He had earlier placed on debut at Moe at big odds, so there is some competitive grounding there. Harder company, but a place result is within reach.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/10 | 18/10/2026 | 24 | MDN 3 | $32,000.00 | Moe | 1200m | Good 4 | Jake Noonan | 58kg | 1:13.48 | 9-10-6 | 2 |
| 3.7L | $6.50 |
| 3/9 | 24/09/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $32,000.00 | Moe | 1000m | Good 4 | Jake Noonan | 58kg | 0:59.41 | 7-6-3 | 3 |
| 5.8L | $21.00 |
| 2/6 | 15/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Lucy Browne | 0:49.97 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/7 | 01/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Damien Thornton | 0:49.57 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Continues to race honestly, coming from midfield for second at Seymour and beaten just over two lengths on soft ground. The run prior at Caulfield Heath was also sound when third despite racing wide, and his record around 1200m reads three placings from four attempts. Strong place profile and should be right there again.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/14 | 11/10/2026 | 25 | MDN 3 | $55,000.00 | Seymour | 1200m | Soft 5 | Will Gordon | 58kg | 1:10.34 | 7-5-2 | 5 |
| 2.3L | $18.00 |
| 3/8 | 16/09/2026 | 12 | MDN CG 3 | $55,000.00 | Caulfield Heath | 1100m | Good 4 | Jye Mcneil | 58kg | 1:04.44 | 5-3-3 | 5 |
| 3.2L | $12.00 |
| 2/10 | 04/09/2026 | 155 | MDN 3 | $32,000.00 | Mornington | 1000m | Soft 5 | Jye Mcneil | 58kg | 0:59.69 | 6-6-2 | 4 |
| 2.0L | $8.00 |
| 2/9 | 18/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Traralgon | 950m | Damien Thornton | 0:58.30 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/9 | 04/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham Synthetic | 750m | Synthetic | Jye Mcneil | 0:44.22 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 2/8 | 02/04/2026 | 19 | MDN 2 | $45,000.00 | Pakenham | 1200m | Soft 5 | Jye Mcneil | 58kg | 1:11.19 | 8-6-2 | 8 |
| 0.5L | $10.00 |
| 9/12 | 14/03/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $1,000,000.00 | Caulfield | 1200m | Good 4 | Dean Yendall | 58kg | 1:09.88 | 6-7-9 | 3 |
| 8.8L | $61.00 |
Jockey: Logan Bates
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes to the races with a deep trial grounding, including two Cranbourne wins among five trials, and that gives him more substance than many debutants. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable has a strong trainer-sire record with Rubick, while Logan Bates takes the ride. Draw not ideal but can run well.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 19/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 1000m | Logan Bates | 0:59.78 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/7 | 06/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 750m | Beau Mertens | 0:45.18 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/7 | 28/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Logan Bates | 0:48.79 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/10 | 15/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Logan Bates | 0:48.50 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/7 | 01/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 650m | Logan Bates | 0:35.83 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Michael Dee
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns off a five-week let-up after being beaten a nose as favourite on debut in a Mdn at Geelong, where he travelled like the winner before being grabbed late. He has since trialled a close second at Flemington, which points to him holding his condition. Best exposed form and the one to beat.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/5 | 16/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Michael Dee | 0:48.50 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/8 | 23/09/2026 | - | MDN 3U | $42,500.00 | Geelong | 1125m | Good 4 | Michael Dee | 57kg | 1:06.32 | 2-2-2 | 8 |
| 0.1L | $2.30 |
| 1/7 | 11/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Seymour | 800m | Soft | Jason Maskiell | 0:49.44 | - | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Adam Mccabe
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Debuts after five trials, with the latest a close second at Pakenham, so there is at least some recent readiness in his corner. The family has produced winners, including Spirit Of Gold, but the stable has only a very small debut sample and no placings from it. See this one.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/3 | 13/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 1000m | Adam Mccabe | 1:04.65 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/8 | 22/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Gerrad Gilmour | 0:47.74 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 08/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham Synthetic | 750m | Synthetic | Adam Mccabe | 0:44.88 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 19/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Ben Kennedy | 0:49.77 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/6 | 05/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 600m | Ben Kennedy | 0:36.89 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jye Mcneil
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Debuts as a NZ$180,000 buy with a pedigree boost through Cellarmaster, who won at G3 level and placed in a G2. Her four Flemington trials have been steady rather than striking, with two recent fourths. Improvement required. Would prefer to see first time out.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 09/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Damian Lane | 1:01.71 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/4 | 24/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Damian Lane | 0:48.86 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/4 | 05/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Damien Thornton | 0:48.93 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/6 | 22/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Fred W Kersley | 0:50.00 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 13/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Fred W Kersley | 0:47.36 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jackson Radley
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Had a genuine excuse when fourth at Cranbourne, racing wide early, getting held up near the 200m and hanging out on the turn before finishing beaten just over four lengths. His debut sixth at Caulfield Heath came at big odds, so the form base is still modest. Improvement is possible, but the form still looks light.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | 16/10/2026 | 30 | MDN 3U | $45,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1200m | Good 3 | Jackson Radley | 55.5kg | 1:10.91 | 11-9-4 | 11 |
| 4.3L | $14.00 |
| 6/8 | 16/09/2026 | - | MDN CG 3 | $55,000.00 | Caulfield Heath | 1100m | Good 4 | Beau Mertens | 58kg | 1:04.44 | 4-6-6 | 4 |
| 4.4L | $51.00 |
| 4/9 | 17/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 1000m | Beau Mertens | 1:04.71 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 10/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 1000m | Beau Mertens | 1:00.45 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Ben Allen
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Had little go right when fourth as favourite at Moe, jumping awkwardly, being bumped and held up from the 200m before finishing beaten two lengths. That run is better than the bare result, but his debut at Flemington in Open grade was a heavy last, beaten over 11 lengths and unwanted in betting. Better than it reads but still prefer to risk.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 18/10/2026 | 155 | MDN 3 | $32,000.00 | Moe | 1200m | Good 4 | Jason Maskiell | 58kg | 1:13.48 | 4-5-4 | 5 |
| 2.0L | $3.20 |
| 1/9 | 06/10/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Ben Allen | 0:48.49 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/7 | 22/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Ben Allen | 0:47.36 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 11/11 | 16/05/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $150,000.00 | Flemington | 1400m | Good 4 | Ben Allen | 57kg | 1:24.28 | 4-4-11 | 9 |
| 10.9L | $21.00 |