Orange Racing Tips 5 March 2026 — can Tartan Tiger stay unbeaten?
Pinjarra Racing Tips 5 March 2026 — can Pike land the right one?
William Pike turns up at Pinjarra and the instinct is to follow him in blind. But today’s the sort of card where the better question is: which Pike ride is the real one, and which is just along for the trip? He’s got two key sits in maiden races where race shape and barrier matter more than raw talent — and that’s where punters can get paid if they read it right, not loud.
This set of Pinjarra racing tips covers five races on turf, with a stack of lightly-raced (and in a few cases, barely-raced) horses. Course form is thin across most fields — plenty of one-off visits — so I’m leaning harder on current form profiles, stable intent, jockey bookings, and the little clues like who gets the inside gate versus who’s forced to do work.
You’ll get a clear pick and a clear staking idea in every race, plus the one bet I’d actually build a day around.
Pinjarra — the setup
Limited course form across today’s fields — most runners have one or two starts here, so treat any “record” as a reference point rather than a pattern.
Jockey-wise, you can trust the volume: W Pike has 16 rides at Pinjarra for 6 wins and 11 placings, and Chris Parnham has 12 rides for 3 wins and 6 placings. Those are meaningful samples at this circuit and worth factoring in when you’re tossing up two similar maidens.
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Race-by-race — Pinjarra predictions
Race 1: Tabtouch Scan My Bet Mdn — 13:37, 2406m
Magic Carats is the one I want to be with, because this looks like a staying maiden where a soft run from the paint can win it before they even straighten. Gate 1 gives A Hearn options: hold a spot, save ground, and make the others work around the turn. The overall profile says “ready to win” — four runs in the last 90 days for two placings and an average finish around the 3–4 mark — and that’s the right sort of base for a 2400m maiden where plenty won’t want the last 200m.
The obvious danger is You Can Call Me Al, who keeps turning up in the finish without landing the punch. He’s placed in two of his last three starts and that’s solid, but he draws 9 and gives away that economical map that matters at this trip. If he’s forced to go back and circle, he’s relying on the race being run truly.
What I’d do: Win bet Magic Carats. If you’re playing exotics, save with You Can Call Me Al running second rather than trying to get cute with blowouts.
Race 2: Electrical Consultancy Wa Mdn — 14:19, 1531m
Here’s the puzzle: do you want the proven grinder, or the unexposed one with the right jockey? I’m landing on His Xcellence with Pike. It’s a debutant, so you’re betting on intent and positioning rather than exposed figures, and the Williams camp booking Pike in a Pinjarra maiden usually means they expect the horse to be ready to compete straight away. Gate 6 is fine — not a coffin, not a gift — and 1531m at Pinjarra is long enough for class to show even if the tempo gets messy.
The danger is Arctic Snow from barrier 1. She’s already shown she can run a race — and she’s placed on her only start at Pinjarra — and that inside draw gives her every chance to box-seat and pinch it if they all wait for Pike to make the first move.
What I’d do: Win bet His Xcellence, small-to-medium stake. Respect Arctic Snow as the saver if the market gives you a workable price for a straight win saver or a quinella.
Race 3: Swan Draught Mdn — 15:00, 1531m
The stable move decides this one. Simon Miller has BatistaAbout Turn in the same race, and Pike lands on Batista. That’s the push I want to follow, because Miller doesn’t need to use Pike here unless he’s got a horse he thinks can take advantage of the set-up.
Now, the risk: Batista’s recent form in the last 90 days reads two runs for one placing, and the average finish isn’t flattering. So you’re not buying a “moral” that’s been beaten a lip three times — you’re buying a horse that might be better than it’s shown, drawn to get a proper run (gate 5), and paired with the jockey most likely to make the right mid-race decision.
About Turn is the danger because there’s no guessing with him: he’s placed on his only start at Pinjarra and he’s drawn 1, so he’s going to get the softest possible trip. If he controls the race from the front third, he can absolutely beat the Pike horse by being in the right spot at the right time.
What I’d do: This is the day’s best betting race for me because the map and intent feel clearer than most maidens. Win bet Batista, and I’d include About Turn as the main saver/quinella partner.
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18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Race 4: Tabtouch Pinjarra Cup Sunday March 22 Mdn — 15:30, 1312m
The market will probably try to talk you into the flashy names, but I’m more interested in the horse that looks like it’s already been hardened by racing. Perfectly Proper gets Chris Parnham and has the kind of form line that says “there’s a win in him when things fall right.” Yes, his only start at Pinjarra was ugly on paper (finished well back), but that’s a single data point — not a track knock — and he’s been in the finish enough elsewhere to treat that run as an outlier rather than a warning label.
Desert Ora is the danger. Two runs for two placings is the cleanest profile in the field and the draw (7) lets Lucy Fiore slide into a stalking position without being dragged into a speed battle. If this becomes a sprint home, Desert Ora is the one who can make it simple.
What I’d do: Each-way Perfectly Proper (because you’re forgiving the one bad Pinjarra run and leaning on the jockey). Saver win Desert Ora if the price is fair.
Race 5: Statewide Turf Services Mdn — 16:00, 1312m
I’m going to start with the shape here: there’s enough unknown speed that this can turn into a messy 600m-to-go decision race — and that’s exactly the sort of maiden where I want a horse who’s already shown it can hit the line. Just Petty Cash has done that in two career starts (4th then 2nd), draws 4, and gets Holly Nottle, who rides this track well enough to trust her judgement (24 rides here, 12 placings).
It doesn’t need to be pretty. From gate 4, she can hold a midfield spot with cover and be the one finishing when others are under pressure late. In a maiden, “doesn’t find” is a real disease; Just Petty Cash looks like she finds.
The danger is Wheely — placed on his only start at Pinjarra and drawn 5, with C Johnston-Porter to steer. If he gets the first crack at them and the leaders don’t come back, he’s the one who can pinch it.
What I’d do: Win bet Just Petty Cash. If you want something conservative, win/place style (where available) makes sense in this grade because she’s already proven she can run top-two.
The plays
NAP: Batista (Race 3, 15:00). The Pike/Miller pairing is the loudest “today’s the day” signal on the meeting, and the map gives Pike every chance to ride it like the best horse rather than the luckiest one.
Value: Perfectly Proper (Race 4, 15:30) each-way. You’re getting a proper rider (Chris Parnham) in a race where most have holes, and I’m happy to forgive one poor Pinjarra run when the overall profile suggests he’s competitive at the level.
Banker for multis: Magic Carats (Race 1, 13:37) to run a drum. Inside draw in a 2400m maiden is gold — you’re buying the run, not just the horse.
Each-way anchor: Just Petty Cash (Race 5, 16:00). Two starts into a career and already a second — that’s the kind of consistency you can actually bet on in these races.
Course angle to carry forward: when you’re torn between two similar chances at Pinjarra, lean toward the rider with real volume here — Pike and Chris Parnham routinely turn “awkward” maps into winning ones at this track.
One to watch next meeting: if the Brett Pope team keeps turning up with numbers, it’ll be worth monitoring when he finally pairs a runner with a top-tier map and a senior jockey — his overall Pinjarra strike-rate hasn’t fired yet, but the intent is building.
FAQ — Pinjarra best bets, times, odds
What time does racing start at Pinjarra today?
Pinjarra’s first is at 13:37 with the Tabtouch Scan My Bet Maiden over 2406m.
Who are the top jockeys at Pinjarra on today’s card?
William Pike is the standout on meaningful volume at the track: 16 rides here for 6 wins and 11 placings. Chris Parnham also holds up with 12 rides for 3 wins and 6 placings. Both are riders you can upgrade when the race looks like it’ll come down to decisions and timing rather than raw ability.
Who are the trainers to follow at Pinjarra today?
From the course numbers, A G Durrant has the strongest Pinjarra profile among today’s stables with 7 runners for 3 wins and 5 placings. On the flip side, Brett Pope has had 8 runners here for just the one placing — and he’s got a stack engaged across the meeting, so you want to see one actually prove it before you follow the name alone.
What are the best bets at Pinjarra today?
My main play is Batista in Race 3 (15:00), off the Simon Miller/W Pike booking and a map that should keep him out of trouble. If you want a safer, lower-drama bet, Magic Carats (Race 1, 13:37) looks set to get the kind of economical run that wins staying maidens.
Where can I find the best odds for Pinjarra races?
Prices move quickly in these maiden-heavy cards, so shop around across your bookmaker and the tote before you bet. For live comparisons and updated markets, head to our Pinjarra odds hub (and always re-check close to jump when scratchings and late money can flip the map).
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