See below for our expert Thursday daily racing tips for April 17th including Pakenham best bets!

Pakenham - Race 1 5:15pm

No. 4 Maldini

Maldini is second up and primed for a nice performance at odds this afternoon at Pakenham ($9 at publish).

Maldini was only fair in two starts during his first campaign, but he returned with action with an eye-catching performance at Ballarat earlier this month, hitting the line to finish second after racing wide.

With natural improvement, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.

Pakenham - Race 5 7:15pm

No. 9 Puglia

Puglia will take improvement into her second campaign start at Pakenham tonight.

The Cable Bay filly finished second at each of her first three career starts before going for a spell, and she returned to action to fill the minors behind The Muffin Man at Sandown last time.

With improvement and on exposed form, she’s the one to beat tonight.

Pakenham - Race 6 7:45pm

No. 3 Rose De Vellor

Rose De Vellor can continue her rise through the grades tonight at Pakenham.

Rose De Vellor won on debut here back in August and went for a break after finishing second in BM64 company, while she returned to action with a near miss behind Fluent late last month.

She’s open to plenty of improvement tonight and can return the in-form Charlotte Littlefield yard another victory.

Pakenham - Race 7 8:15pm

No. 5 Howdy

Howdy looks well placed to go on with the job at Pakenham tonight.

Howdy has improved noticeably with each of three runs back from a break, culminating in a sharp win in Class 1 company at Cranbourne last time out.

He’s in peak order now and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.