Betsy's Best: Pakenham

Mitch Lewis is brimming with confidence ahead of the first turf meeting at Pakenham this season. Get his best bets for the card.

by Mitch Lewis

Updated April 29, 2026

Race	Horse	Summary
R6	#1 Chest Of Gold (Best)	Dropping in grade and looks one of the key on-speed runners of the race.
R8	#8 Miss Altair (Value)	Needs luck early but can perform well first up.

Track:

Clear conditions are forecast so expecting the track to be rated a Good 4 come R1.
The rail will be out and in the +9m position for the first time since April.
Monitoring for any bias at this first meeting under lights for the season, as the track can play on speed with the rail out.

Stats:

Carleen Hefel is booked for 3 rides on this program. She rides well at this track, operating at a winning strike rate of +10.2% with a POT of 18.6%.

Race 6 No.1 Chest Of Gold

CHEST OF GOLD drops in grade to contest this race today after finishing within a length of Gala Queen at Flemington. CHEST OF GOLD was well supported to win that day, so expect again he will be well fancied dropping in class. He looks to get a favourable run on speed in a race lacking early tempo, and that pattern should suit here.

Race 8 No.8 Miss Altair

A wide barrier might not do MISS ALTAIR many favours, even from the chute. But if she can get luck early in the run and find a position without having to work too hard, she has ratings from last prep good enough to be winning here fresh. She won two in a row last prep, including first up at this track, so is well placed to win again if she gets the right run early.

by Mitch Lewis

Updated April 29, 2026