Don’t be misled by the recent form of 2022 Australian Cup runner-up Paddy Wants Pats.

He may be a “gentleman and sook” on the inside, but he’s as tough as nails on the outside.

And that’s why he could be the ‘sleeper’ in the Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup series (450m), which kicks off with four heats on Monday night.

Paddy Wants Pats (Box 4) is a $7.50 chance in Heat 2 (Race 6, 8.42pm) and $17 to take out the final in Sportsbet’s ‘All In’ market.

A blueblood speedster, Paddy Wants Pats (Aug ’19 Black Magic Opal x Striker Light) has only had four starts since finishing eighth in the 2022 G1 Melbourne Cup in late November.

But his Freshwater Creek owner-trainer, Kelly Bravo, says “he’s pretty keen and not far off his best”.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating. He sustained a fractured metatarsal (in the Melbourne Cup) that was tricky to find.”

“We’ve got him back now. And we’re happy where he’s at.”

Subsequently Paddy Wants Pats finished eighth in The Phoenix the following month and had an enforced spell.

Bravo advised Paddy Wants Pats recently trialled well at Cannington in preparation for the Group 1 Perth Cup series but added, “he missed the start in a heat and that was basically the end of it”.

WA hasn’t been a happy place for Paddy Wants Pats, as he finished eighth in last year’s Perth Cup after tearing a back muscle and spent four months off the racing scene.

Paddy Wants Pats struck a purple patch during last year’s Australian Cup series and Bravo finally feels confident he’s heading in the right direction.

“We’ve got him back now. And we’re happy where he’s at.”

She also expects him to be prominent in his heat against the likes of Matt’s Hope (Box 1 – $2.70), Salad Dodger (Box 2 – $3.60) and Tinker Norm (Box 7 – $4.60).

“His form doesn’t look that great on paper, but I think he still comes into calculations – albeit the box draw doesn’t do him any favours.”

Paddy Wants Pats has only had one official outing at Shepparton over 450m. He finished eighth, at his sixth start, on June 21, 2021.

But that’s water off a duck’s back for Bravo.

“He’s also had a few looks (trials) at Shepparton and has run some nice times there.”

Paddy Wants Pats has raced on 54 occasions for 19 wins, seven seconds and five thirds with $291,700 in prizemoney.

Last year, he won the Listed Western Districts Derby and was a finalist in the G3 Silver Bullet (8^th) and Listed Australian Sprint (6^th). He also contested the 2021 G3 Speed Star (4^th).

Click HERE  for Sportsbet’s Shepparton Cup heats market.

Paddy Wants Pats’ dam, Striker Light, won three G1s, including the Temlee, during the 2018 ‘Australian Cup Carnival’. In all, she contested an amazing 17 Group race finals including 11 G1s.

But Bravo says Paddy Wants Pats hasn’t inherited his mum’s traits.

“They’re quite opposite. On paper, he’s probably quicker and a lot stronger but hasn’t got her early brilliance.

“And he’s a gentleman whereas she’s got a bit of arrogance. But both have a ‘funny, unique bark’, which is probably the only similarity.”

Given his name, surely there’s something to Paddy Wants Pats’ personality?

“He’s a real sook, he loves affection. And he’ll never change,” Bravo said.

WATCH: PADDY WANTS PATS (B2) scores a commanding all-the-way victory in a Melbourne Cup heat that also comprised WOW SHE’S FAST (B7).