EXPERT RACING TIPS: PINJARRA

PINJARRA PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2025

Betting Strategy

BACK: 2. Gift Of The Heart (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $3.60)

Happy to speculate that Gift Of The Heart is a wild price here (healthy double figures at the time of writing). In a race without any real depth, Gift is a 60 and 66+ winner in the last 18 months, in fields which would leave this lot for dead. He didn’t turn up mid-year (where he was subsequently transferred to Neville Parnham and could not lift his legs) which means he’s dropped from a 73 to a 65 rater (4kg’s). Now back with his original trainer, his recent trial, while not beating much, was aesthetically as pleasing as they come, and he should land in the breeze outside a horse (Salt Lake Shake) who is a query at anything beyond 1000m. Keen to play. I suspect that Chino La Diva will be the best backed horse on the day. She’s had a super (and very long) prep and the jockey change will ensure a mountain of money comes. I’ve only marked two horses single figures and if I’m wrong with Gift, it means she is more like a ~$1.90 pop. Would love to save.

BACK: 2. Gift Of The Heart (PLACE) for 4 units

Happy to speculate that Gift Of The Heart is a wild price here (healthy double figures at the time of writing). In a race without any real depth, Gift is a 60 and 66+ winner in the last 18 months, in fields which would leave this lot for dead. He didn’t turn up mid-year (where he was subsequently transferred to Neville Parnham and could not lift his legs) which means he’s dropped from a 73 to a 65 rater (4kg’s). Now back with his original trainer, his recent trial, while not beating much, was aesthetically as pleasing as they come, and he should land in the breeze outside a horse (Salt Lake Shake) who is a query at anything beyond 1000m. Keen to play. I suspect that Chino La Diva will be the best backed horse on the day. She’s had a super (and very long) prep and the jockey change will ensure a mountain of money comes. I’ve only marked two horses single figures and if I’m wrong with Gift, it means she is more like a ~$1.90 pop. Would love to save.

BACK: 5. Chino La Diva (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.80)

I suspect that Chino La Diva will be the best backed horse on the day. She’s had a super (and very long) prep and the jockey change will ensure a mountain of money comes. I’ve only marked two horses single figures and if I’m wrong with Gift, it means she is more like a ~$1.90 pop. Would love to save.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. Lexington City (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.10)

Lexington City has arguably found an easier race than his recent narrow second, he drops weight due to the ‘rise’ in grade, the shades go on as does the states #1 hoop in Chris Parnham. Liked his only effort down the straight many moons ago and think he looks the one. Ticks a lot of boxes. Sir Dreamalot is the X factor. Probably underestimated how tough his first up effort was last prep with the big weight. Will appreciate the 54 and ideal draw (outside fence best down the 1000m chute @ Pinj). $4+ and I’ll be chopping out. Silver Eye is my worry. Think his best wins this, but wary of the recent setback. Pin Deep won from last (serious panic free steer from the apprentice) at his most recent. Awkward gate, speed underneath – do they consider riding him quietly by design?

BACK: 9. Sir Dreamalot (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $3.80)

Sir Dreamalot is the X factor. Probably underestimated how tough his first up effort was last prep with the big weight. Will appreciate the 54 and ideal draw (outside fence best down the 1000m chute @ Pinj). $4+ and I’ll be chopping out.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 2. Rissoles (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.85)

Chris Parnham could just about be lining up for his third win on the program, with this looking a great setup for Rissoles. Having drawn sticky marbles at her last couple, she’s been forced out the back when never getting warm. Like the fact she’s back to the 1200 here and most importantly like the favourable draw. Should have both Valsassina and Supernatural behind her, which I think could be the winning map. Valsassina is screaming out for the 1200. Tags Rissoles and things become interesting. Supernatural drops out of the hottest form reference, but did she really find the line? Will need to here as she likely finds herself near last. Nobellity the blowout. A different horse ridden fast for Renee Forrest.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 10. Stormageddon (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.90)

Not much needs to be said about Stormageddon’s last outing. You won’t see a better thing beaten in 2025 (Terratif says hold my beer), when I genuinely thought the horse was going to hurdle the leader. Where was Pikey’s pogo stick when needed? This is a sticky map and the main danger should have significant field position on him. BUT. You cannot argue how well he is going. Within a length or two of Bold Hero on the turn and wins. Bold Hero could just about win this on map. Looks a big fellow who wants room, so Chris staying out of congestion from barrier 2 is key. If he can get rolling at the 600, they probably don’t catch him. The 2000 is in his favour rather than Storms (drops back from the 2200, which he clearly ate up). From a market POV I can’t split the pair at $2.90. Listed Stormageddon as the bet (for mental health reasons), but happy to play on price – it will come down to luck in running between the pair.

Betting Strategy

This race gives me very sticky map vibes. Million to one pop Highboy tries to go forward. Missile Storm and Mr Mt Walker work across from the outside alleys while Best Mood and Mean Machine won’t want to be far off them. Just gives me a feel that perhaps Golden Dore, who will be last in running, might get his chance to finish over them with some questionable types out in front. This bloke is a proper Saturday horse in the making. Will be a hard one to follow with his racing pattern and inability to step, but he’s got undoubted ability and proved the 1400m was no issue at his most recent. Great opportunity for our leading country rider Tash Faithfull, but she’ll be made to earn this one. Best Mood could be the forgotten horse. Liked the trial and was never in the race first up at the unsuitable 1100 when snagged. Looks the type who needs to be ridden near the speed and out grind them. Rise to 1400 and map key. Steve Parnham rides these types extremely well. Trio was a far better run first up than it reads on paper, while Mean Machine drops out of the best form reference and maps a treat.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 10. Kings Salute (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $3.05)

Kings Salute was an ugly watch a fortnight ago. Jumped well, but continually lost his spot in running and never tacked onto a moving line. Considering the passage he had in the straight, I felt he hit the line better than anything. Brad Parnham takes the ride in a race lacking a heap of speed (will Influencing step?), he can be positive early and land in the first 4. I don’t think leading or breezing is completely out of the question. Ready to win. Angel Undercover is the clear danger and the one I want to chop out on. Loved her effort in an on speed dominated 1400m, she can actually utilise her better draw here and look to stalk a horse like Kings Salute. Makes things very interesting if she follows Kings everywhere he goes. Hostile Talk had excuses at his most recent, while Above The Peg looks a great acquisition for the Michael Lane yard.

BACK: 7. Angel Undercover (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $4.30)

Angel Undercover is the clear danger and the one I want to chop out on. Loved her effort in an on speed dominated 1400m, she can actually utilise her better draw here and look to stalk a horse like Kings Salute. Makes things very interesting if she follows Kings everywhere he goes.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Do I Feel Lucky (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.40)

Think the Do I Feel Lucky/Strideaway form is clearly the pick of, so that’s the pair I want to focus on. Do I Feel Lucky was some type of run off 28 days at his most recent. Stuck deep, Clint was forced to work his way around the field and breeze. The effort to kick so deep into the straight was enormous. Strideaway was more than entitled to get past him with the run he had. Despite the sticky draw for Do I Feel Lucky (comes into 11 post emergency scratchings), this maps a lot better. This race lacks a heap of speed and there are really only 3 under him (Girl’s On Fire, Perfectly Proper and Capitola) who will want similar forward spots in running. Can follow Hold My Wine (drawn outside) across and it would not surprise me if he almost lands in the one-one. Softer first 200m and can turn the tables on Strideaway, who once again looks to map perfectly. Plan will be to back Do I Feel Lucky each way or win only and save on Stride. Dealers choice. Storm Away is the blowout. Has a stack of talent but clearly does a lot wrong. Would have learnt a lot a week ago, but this is still a big ask.

BACK: 1. Do I Feel Lucky (PLACE) for 3 units

Think the Do I Feel Lucky/Strideaway form is clearly the pick of, so that’s the pair I want to focus on. Do I Feel Lucky was some type of run off 28 days at his most recent. Stuck deep, Clint was forced to work his way around the field and breeze. The effort to kick so deep into the straight was enormous. Strideaway was more than entitled to get past him with the run he had. Despite the sticky draw for Do I Feel Lucky (comes into 11 post emergency scratchings), this maps a lot better. This race lacks a heap of speed and there are really only 3 under him (Girl’s On Fire, Perfectly Proper and Capitola) who will want similar forward spots in running. Can follow Hold My Wine (drawn outside) across and it would not surprise me if he almost lands in the one-one. Softer first 200m and can turn the tables on Strideaway, who once again looks to map perfectly. Plan will be to back Do I Feel Lucky each way or win only and save on Stride. Dealers choice. Storm Away is the blowout. Has a stack of talent but clearly does a lot wrong. Would have learnt a lot a week ago, but this is still a big ask.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 4. Shmoov Moova (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $2.60)

The barrier draw was not kind to Shmoov Moova, BUT I do feel like it may almost be a blessing in disguise in a race choc full of speed. Keep Ita Mystery, Horcrux, Golden Vale, Niccy’s Affair will all go super quick and should ensure those settling rearward get their chance. London’s Image won’t get anywhere near the speed and could end up leading up a 3 wide line – that would be the line I’d want to be in. He is screaming out for the 1200m now and this could continue an anything day for Chris Parnham. Also want to have something on outsider Smooth Chino. Maps very similar to Shmoov, this bloke is a serious race horse and more than deserves his shot against this lot. Clearly I won’t be cheering for a rough result (that is a smooth joke). There are a million others I could touch on, but I’m going to back in my map and target two off speed runners.

BACK: 5. Smooth Chino (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $7.20)

Also want to have something on outsider Smooth Chino. Maps very similar to Shmoov, this bloke is a serious race horse and more than deserves his shot against this lot. Clearly I won’t be cheering for a rough result (that is a smooth joke).

Betting Strategy

BACK: 14. Cleanemup (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.90)

Capacity field down the chute will sort the wheat from the chaff to end Magic Millions day. Without a huge amount of confidence, I want to have something on Cleanemup. Feel like her form lines are far superior to what she meets here and she’s simply raced without any luck at her last couple. Was better than Promising first up in a huge form reference race. Was forced to last v London’s Image second up when only beaten 2L, before she sat deep the trip and kept coming on the line against a very smart 3yo in Want A Winner. Drops weight on that run, these 60+ grads are so often dominated by the 3yo with a future. The straight 1000 is an unknown, but she is going so much better than it reads on paper. Rock This Town likely jumps $20+ and for a chute specialist who should find the outside fence and lead, that’ll do me for a small play. Happy to forgive the recent efforts with the kids on, this bloke always responds well to Jarrad Noske. Just Saint James loves the straight and has to be hard to beat, while Rocking Gem shouldn’t be far away.

BACK: 1. Rock This Town (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $11.20)

Rock This Town likely jumps $20+ and for a chute specialist who should find the outside fence and lead, that’ll do me for a small play. Happy to forgive the recent efforts with the kids on, this bloke always responds well to Jarrad Noske.