Ascot Racing Tips 18 March 2026 — can the Parnham clan dominate their home track again?

When the West Australian racing season hits its stride at Ascot, there’s one storyline that always demands attention: the Parnham family’s iron grip on Perth’s premier track. With Steven Parnham riding at a blistering 30.77% win rate this season and trainer Neville Parnham firing at every turn, Wednesday’s seven-race programme shapes as another family showcase. But there’s more to this card than dynastic dominance — we’ve got a cracking two-year-old maiden, a livewire resuming in the features, and enough local knowledge to fill a betting book. The rail is true, the track is Ascot, and the money’s about to fly.

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Ascot Course Context — The Numbers That Matter

Before we dive into the races, let’s look at who’s hot at Ascot this season. The stats don’t lie, and they point to a few key combinations to follow — and a few to tread carefully around.

Top Jockeys at Ascot This Season

That’s 51.36% of all races at Ascot this season going to just two surnames. The Parnham brothers are riding with supreme confidence, and when they team up with the right trainers, the results speak for themselves. Clint Johnston-Porter’s numbers are rock-solid too — he doesn’t get the same quality of rides as the Parnhams but maximises what he gets.

Top Trainers at Ascot This Season

Daniel Pearce is having an absolute blinder — nearly 44% winners from limited starters is phenomenal. Simon Miller’s strike rate is equally impressive, and note he teams up with Clint Johnston-Porter in the second race. Keep an eye on the D & B Pearce (Daniel Pearce) runners — they’ve got three chances on this card and all look live.

Race 1 — Wittens Irrigation & Design Hcp (C3) — 14:09 AWST — 1531m

The card opens with a competitive Class 3 handicap over the mile, and there’s one runner here who looks over the odds based on recent form. Hoya Destroyer (S Parnham) comes out of that strong 2nd at Pinjarra where he sat wide and still kept finding the line. Gate 4 is perfect — Steven can find the rail or press forward depending on the tempo. The 131.1kg top weight is no concern — he’s a strong, progressive type who looks ready to peak third-up.

Extreme Love (Holly Nottle) keeps turning up in these races without quite getting there. Form reads 44233, which tells you everything — consistently thereabouts but lacks a winning kick. Gate 5 is workable but she’s another that finds ways to lose.

Zorbrist (B Parnham) comes through the same race as Hoya Destroyer but finished 4.8 lengths behind him. That formline isn’t strong enough to reverse here, even with the 6.6kg weight turnaround.

Come On Emma (Natika Riordan) has been consistent without being spectacular. Gate 2 helps but she’s looking for further now — the mile might stretch her late.

Nickelplay (Chris Parnham) hasn’t won in a while and gate 1 can be a poisoned chalice at Ascot if the speed isn’t right. Chris will need to be patient.

Who Saz Yes (J Whiting) ran well fresh but faded badly last start. Hard to have.

Race 1 Selection

Win bet Hoya Destroyer. He’s the clear standout on recent form, gets the right jockey in Steven Parnham (30.77% at Ascot), and the gate means he should get every chance. Save a small each-way ticket on Come On Emma for the place.

Race 2 — Drummond Golf (Rs0ly) — 14:44 AWST — 1531m

Restricted 2&3-year-old race over the mile, and there’s a boom horse making his return. Peaceful Ruler (B Parnham) won his maiden impressively at Pinjarra back in December, then ran a cracking 3rd in the Listed Perth Cup Carnival Dayplate. That’s strong form for this level, and the way he hit the line suggests the mile will suit. Gate 4 is fine, and Simon Miller’s 25% strike rate at Ascot this season gives confidence.

Sky Poet (Natasha Faithfull) brings a maiden win here but it was on the synthetic at Karrakatta and this is tougher. That said, she’s trained by D & B Pearce (43.75% at Ascot this season) which demands respect. Gate 5 is workable.

Swift Talker (C Johnston-Porter) is the intriguing one — he’s by Star Witness from a Fastnet Rock mare, which is proper pedigree. The form reads 10-7 which looks poor, but that 7th was in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce. He meets a similar field here and the step up to 1500m should suit. The Miller/Johnston-Porter combo is 3 wins from 12 at Ascot this season.

So Much Serenity (W Pike) has form around some handy ones but the double-figure gates haven’t helped her consistency. William Pike is always dangerous.

Playing Free (Laqdar Ramoly) looks outclassed on what he’s shown.

Race 2 Selection

Win bet Peaceful Ruler. The class horse with the right form reference. Watch the market for Swift Talker — if there’s support for him, he could run a big race at odds. Saver each-way on Swift Talker.

Race 3 — MC Polytrack Mdn — 15:20 AWST — 1094m

Two-year-old maiden over 1100m, and this is a tricky puzzle with several debutants. Helluva Promise (S Parnham) is the obvious starting point — trained by Martin Lane and ridden by the hottest jockey at the track. The breeding is promising (Hellbent x She’s a Promise), and Lane’s two-year-olds are usually forward.

Flying Swagman (P Carbery) and Rakitin (C Johnston-Porter) are both first-starters from the David Harrison yard. Harrison has solid first-up stats, and the fact he’s engaged both Clint Johnston-Porter and Peter Carbery suggests they’re expected to run well. Rakitin’s barrier (6) is better than Flying Swagman’s (9).

Divine Mirage (B Parnham) ran 4th on debut which is solid without being spectacular. Neville Parnham’s runners often improve second-up, and the 5kg claim for Bailey helps.

Prophecy Girl (Chris Parnham) and Flaminius (Jordan Turner) are others with upside — both debutantes from respected yards.

Miss Bradley (J Whiting) and Mr Kaplan (W Pike) are the remaining debutants. Pike on Mr Kaplan is notable — he doesn’t ride many two-year-old maidens unless there’s something there.

Race 3 Selection

Win bet Helluva Promise. The combination of Martin Lane and Steven Parnham is too strong to ignore in this grade. For exotics, include Flying Swagman and Rakitin as savers — if one of the Harrison first-starters is wound up, they could blow this apart.

Race 4 — G&A Lombardi Pty Ltd Mdn — 15:55 AWST — 1640m

Maiden over the 1600m trip, and we see another D & B Pearce runner with top claims. Princess Toronado (S Parnham) debuts here but the stable is flying (43.75% at Ascot), and the Toronado x Princess Coup breeding is high-class. The stable wouldn’t bring her here unless ready.

Magic Carats (A Hearn) is the veteran of the field with 8 starts for two 2nds and a 3rd. Consistent without being able to break through. Gate 4 helps but you wonder if she’s just a place-getter.

Invasore (J Whiting) has placed in 5 of 9 starts and looks ready to win. The 202/33 form shows he’s competitive at this level. Gate 11 is the concern — Ascot’s 1600m start can be tricky from wide barriers.

Queen Selyse (Holly Nottle) has been consistent without winning — four straight placings suggests she’s looking for this trip now. Gate 5 is okay.

Bambun Girl (Madi Derrick) comes off a 2nd at Northam and looks progressive. The step to 1600m should suit, and gate 1 means she can take a sit and pounce.

Race 4 Selection

Each-way bet Princess Toronado. The Pearce/Parnham stable is red-hot, and debutantes from this yard at Ascot are always live. Win saver on Bambun Girl if you want insurance against the first-starter failing to fire.

Race 5 — Statewide Oil Hcp (C1) — 16:30 AWST — 1312m

Class 1 handicap over 1300m, and this is where the card really opens up. Mr Kissinger (W Pike) is resuming from a spell but his form reads 1-3440 with that win fresh at Ascot last preparation. He’s a known fresh performer, and Simon Miller (25% at Ascot) knows how to have them ready. Gate 2 is ideal for Pike to settle and unleash late.

Tycoon Dreamer (Chris Parnham) found the line nicely last start when 4th at Pinjarra. Gate 3 suits, and the 1300m is his pet trip. The Parnham/Parnham combination is always worth following.

Rosentrea (Holly Nottle) is the enigma — she won fresh at Pinjarra in November, then had a 7-month break. If she’s come back in that order, she’s the one to beat. The 3rd-up run last prep was excellent.

Earl It Is (S O’Donnell) keeps turning up without winning — eight career starts for no wins but four placings. Honest but hard to trust.

Melody Fair (S Parnham) is first-up from a spell. Steven Parnham rides, which is always a positive, but she’ll need to be fit fresh to beat these.

Race 5 Selection

Win bet Mr Kissinger. The fresh form is excellent, Pike is Pike, and Miller’s strike rate this season gives confidence. Each-way saver on Tycoon Dreamer who should get a nice run from gate 3.

Race 6 — Schweppes Hcp (C3) — 17:05 AWST — 1094m

Class 3 sprint to kick off the final double, and there’s clear top-weight here. Spicy Thang (Chris Parnham) comes through that hot 3rd at Bunbury behind subsequent winner Niccimota. The form is strong, she’s drawn well in 8, and Luke Fernie’s stable is going well (18.75% at Ascot this season).

New Target (Keshaw Dhurun) brings back-to-back wins at Northam and looks progressive. The 70-11 form is strong, and Neville Parnham’s runners often win in this grade. Gate 3 means he can control the race.

Door Buster (Holly Watson) is resuming from a spell but won impressively fresh at Northam last campaign. The question is whether she can do it at Class 3 level against these.

Soldier Of God (Cassey Martinan) has form around some handy ones but has been beaten a combined 17 lengths in his last two. Hard to have.

So Immaculate (Brayden Gaerth) was 8th last start at Ascot but the 7-12148 form prior was solid. Place chance.

Race 6 Selection

Win bet Spicy Thang. She’s been running in stronger races than this, meets a winnable field, and Chris Parnham’s 20.59% strike rate at Ascot this season means she’s in good hands. Saver place New Target who looks the main danger.

Race 7 — Unite Resourcing Hcp (C1) — 17:40 AWST — 1750m

The finale is a Class 1 over 1750m, and this is a genuine betting race with several chances. Productive (C Johnston-Porter) comes through consistent form in stronger company and drops back to Class 1 for the first time in a while. The 215-69 form reads well, and D & B Pearce having him at 43.75% strike rate means he’s fit and ready. Gate 7 is workable over this trip.

Highly Spoken (Victoria Corver) is first-up but his best form (6-6956) suggests he’s competitive at this level. The 1750m is query first-up though.

Tassort We Want (Jarrad Noske) is looking for this trip now after running on well late over 1400m last start. Tiarnna Noske’s runners often improve with distance, and gate 6 helps.

Aitch Montana (Holly Watson) has form that reads well for this — 41-066 suggests he’s looking for the 1750m now after showing speed previously.

Myzoom (Laqdar Ramoly) and Universal Impact (Rocky Cheung) look outclassed on recent efforts.

Race 7 Selection

Win bet Productive. The class drop is significant, and Clint Johnston-Porter knows this horse well. Each-way saver on Tassort We Want who should appreciate the step up in trip.

The Plays — Our Best Bets for Ascot

NAP (Best Bet): Hoya Destroyer (Race 1) — Clear standout on recent form, gets Steven Parnham (30.77% at Ascot this season), and the gate is perfect. This looks his race.

Value Bet: Swift Talker (Race 2) — The 10-7 form looks poor but that 7th was in Group 2 company. He drops massively in grade here, and the Miller/Johnston-Porter combo is flying. Each-way value at double-figure odds.

Banker for Multis: Peaceful Ruler (Race 2) — Class horse resuming, strong form reference, and the right stable. Should be winning this.

Each-way Special: Princess Toronado (Race 4) — D & B Pearce are winning at 43.75% at Ascot this season. First-starters from this yard debuting at Ascot are always live.

Compare the Best Odds for Ascot Racing

Getting the best price is crucial to long-term punting success. While we don’t have fixed odds available at time of writing, here’s where to shop for the best value:

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Ascot Racing FAQ

What time does racing start at Ascot today?

The first race jumps at 14:09 AWST (Western Standard Time), with the final race at 17:40 AWST. There are seven races on the programme.

Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Ascot today?

Steven Parnham (30.77% win rate) and Chris Parnham (20.59%) are the form riders, combining for over half the races won at Ascot this season. Trainer Daniel Pearce is flying at 43.75%, while Simon Miller (25%) and Chris Gangemi (21.43%) are also going well.

What are the best bets at Ascot today?

Our best bet is Hoya Destroyer in Race 1, with Peaceful Ruler in Race 2 the banker for multis. Value seekers should look at Swift Talker in Race 2 and Princess Toronado in Race 4.

Where can I find the best odds for Ascot races?

Picklebet and Dabble are our top-rated bookmakers for WA racing, offering competitive fixed odds and regular promotions. bet365 and Neds are also strong options for market depth and exotic betting.

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