Pinjarra hosts an eight-race card on Saturday, headlined by the Group 3 Strickland Stakes which is worth $200,000. The meeting begins at 12:34pm (2:34pm AEST) and the track is currently rated a Soft 7, as more rain is expected to fall on both Friday and Saturday. We will be searching for runners that prefer the wet going this weekend in Western Australia.
Trent Orwin is back in the saddle as he brings us his three best bets for day from Pinjarra, and if you’re after more free tips for this weekend’s key meetings, then head over to our Racing Tips page!
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Pinjarra Racing Tips: Saturday, June 21st 2025
Race 1: CHAFF CITY PLATE (1400 METRES) – 12:34pm (2:34pm AEST)
(1) Playin’it Sweet was an excellent winner a fortnight ago when settling well back in the field and letting down strongly to run away with a 1.25-length victory over the 1300m. There’s no reason to think the extra 100m will worry her and she draws closer in this time. She is the only winner in the field and looks extremely hard to beat in the opening race on the program.
(2) Bannered has had four career starts and is still seeking his first top three finish. He was no match for Playin’it Sweet last time and it is hard to imagine that he has the speed to turn the tables unless the favourite gets into traffic problems. From the good draw, Bannered has strong place claims.
(3) Faradio chased home Too Darn Stormy on debut over 1200m, when finishing fifth, and that horse then went on to run second behind Playin’it Sweet. The two-year-old gelding is going to get better with racing, although barrier nine could prove a bit tricky.
(1) Playin’it Sweet
$1.90 (3 units)
Race 3: BELLE’S PARK TRAINING & AGISTMENT HANDICAP (2000 METRES) – 1:49pm (3:49pm AEST)
(4) First Encounter is crying out for a victory. Two starts ago, he settled in the back trio of horses over the mile, and flew home late to finish third, beaten 1.83 lengths by Madame Magic. He then raced over 1690m at Bunbury, racing in ninth before being held up for a run as they turned for home. He found clear running late and was still a mile off them at this stage, but to his credit, he steamed home to finish fourth. Can fly over the top of them in this.
(5) Forever Boy is the stablemate to First Encounter and he has been racing very well. A third behind Dennis Choux two starts back, Forever Boy then won over 1600m. Clint Johnston-Porter opts to ride the favourite which means Chris Parnham picks up the ride.
(2) Dennis Choux has found form, winning his last two starts over 1600m and 2200m. He should enjoy a nice run from gate two and looms as an each-way prospect in the race.
(4) First Encounter
$2.00 (3 units)
Race 7: SWAN DRAUGHT STRICKLAND STAKES (2000 METRES) – 4:20pm (6:20pm AEST)
(10) Admiration Express enters the Strickland Stakes third up from a spell for trainer Jason Miller. In-form jockey Lucy Fiore retains the ride after the pair finished fourth in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) won by Western Empire. The grey mare couldn’t match the winner after tracking him up, but I like the step up to 2000m. Last year, Admiration Express finished second in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m). At her best, she can give this a real good shake.
(1) Western Empire was breathtaking in the Hyperion Stakes, and it seems a little foolish being against him. He sat three-wide and still proved much too good to record his 11th career win from 30 starts. Despite the outside barrier, Western Empire is the testing material in the race and rivals will know the former Railway Stakes winner is looming late.
(3) Hemlock Stone is one of four Grant and Alana Williams runners in the race, with Western Empire, Starry Heights and Buckets Ridge the others. Hemlock Stone couldn’t find any clear air in the home straight in the Hyperion Stakes and is a simple forgive run. His fourth in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) was very good and has strong claims at toppling his preferred stablemate in the market.
(10) Admiration Express
$5.50 (1 unit)
