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Pilote d'Essai wins 2016 Superior Food Pakenham Cup Listed $200,000 at Racing.Com Park (VIC), 2500m.

Apprentice Regan Bayliss wasted no time out of barrier three and jumped Pilote d'Essai straight to the front, leading past the winning post with a circuit to run and into the far turn. A moderate pace saw the pair stroll down the back going comfortably past the 1600m. He drifted to third starting the last bend holding the rail but into the home straight he moved through to take over again. Bayliss shook the reins and they broke clear and he ran on well, surging clear by three lengths inside the 200m and won easing down at the line.

Puccini grabbed the lead starting the last bend, still led at the top of the straight and bravely battled on to hold second.

Little White Cloud followed Puccini around the last bend, tried to keep up then lost his momentum only to get a going again over the final 100m for a battling third.