Pinjarra Scarpside Preview & Best Bets – Saturday 30 December 

Our form expert provides Pinjarra tips for today’s horse racing at Pinjarra Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Pinjarra Scarpside Tips 30/12/2023 

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 3 No. 3 OREGON HIKER – ($4.40)

Impressive trial winner OREGON HIKER resumed in a new prep for trainer Brett Pope when running second to Bonny Rock. Shaun McGruddy allowed the horse to roll along in front of the big field with the eventual winner gaining the gun-run on his back. Bonny Rock went to the pair shortly after straightening. Oregon Hiker did offer some initial resistance before caving to race fitness. The horse still held the rest of the field comfortably to show that he holds no concerns over six furlongs. Lucy Fiore comes back into the saddle after sitting quietly aboard Oregon Hiker when the pair strolled away in their trial win. There does not appear to be a great deal of early pressure on paper with Oregon Hiker drawn to roll forward again.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 7 No. 2 STARRING KNIGHT – ($6)

Chris Parnham will be enjoying the extra pace for STARRING KNIGHT in the Mandurah Cup at Pinjarra Racecourse on Saturday. The horse fell victim to a slack tempo while becoming badly held-up on the heels of the winner Keytrade over this track and trip last start. Starring Knight had also lumped a big weight in the race, even with a claim for Luke Campbell. The pair finished between horses to run second as Keytrade had taken advantage of the slack tempo to put the field away. Plenty of pressure coming across from out wide means that Parnham can find plenty of cover before attempting to bullock Starring Knight into the clear.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 4 No. 4 WESTERN POWER – ($11)

We saw enough of WESTERN POWER on debut to suggest the horse will win a race or two. Patrick Carbery gave the debutante a cold ride after drawing wide over 1200 metres at Pinjarra. The pair ran up behind them as the field began to pack on turning. Western Power was still a long way off the pace as they straightened for home with Carbery finding a way into the clear. They got home okay while peaking on their long run somewhere inside the 100 metres. Takahide Ikenushi will have his horse fitter again while Western power will also have taken benefit from the race day experience.