Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Western Australia · Saturday 18 April 2026
Our top pick won 4 of 10 races at Ascot. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Bartime won this exact race last preparation and returns first-up for Brett Pope who has his horses ready to fire fresh. The wide draw is manageable with his early speed, and Lucy Fiore's outstanding current form (30% strike rate) adds confidence.
Rainline is the previous winner of this race and draws perfectly in barrier 1. While she's been off the scene for 153 days, the Pearce stable excels with fresh runners and she has a strong first-up record. The inside draw at Ascot over 1200m is a significant advantage and she maps to get the perfect run.
While his overall record is modest, he's shown consistency at this level recently and maps to get a good midfield position.
While the wide draw is concerning, he's a second-up improver and the Gulberti stable has been firing.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Rainline | 1 | Holly Nottle | D & B Pearce | 54.5kg | $7.50 |
| 2nd | 2 | Bartime | 8 | Lucy F Fiore | Brett Pope | 58.5kg | $3.40 |
| 3rd | 5 | Cobbanco | 2 | Jason Whiting | B G Lucas | 56kg | $8.00 |
| 4th | 9 | Another Chant | 4 | Luke Campbell | Tiarnna Noske | 54kg | $71.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Rise To Glory | 7 | Patrick Carbery | Sue Olive | 56kg | $4.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Masterly | 5 | Laqdar Ramoly | N D Parnham | 57kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Cheryl's Shout | 6 | Holly Watson | Mack Hall | 55.5kg | $9.50 |
| 8th | 1 | Just Saint James | 10 | Chanel Cooper | Robert Gulberti | 59kg | $10.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Show The Way | 3 | Steven Parnham | N D Parnham | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 10th | 11 | Zac Luvs To Fly | 9 | Shaun O'Donnell | Ms C Stelmach | 54kg | $61.00 |
| Scr | 10 | My Monster | 4 | Keshaw Dhurun | Cooper Casey | 54kg |
Her second-up record is perfect and the inside barrier is ideal at Ascot where early position is crucial. While carrying top weight, her class edge and tactical speed make her the most likely winner.
Swingman brings rock-solid consistency with placings in 6 of 9 starts including a last-start second to Snitzalatte. His early speed should secure a forward position from barrier 5, crucial at Ascot. While yet to win at the track, his form suggests he's knocking on the door and the Johnston-Porter booking (33% with trainer) is a positive.
The wide draw is a concern in a 1000m sprint at Ascot but Chris Parnham's booking suggests stable confidence.
Miss Finkmeyer represents value first-up from a spell with Lucy Fiore aboard in scorching form (30% strike rate recently). While the 62-day break and class rise are concerns, her fresh record shows promise and she's proven at the distance.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Snitzalatte | 3 | Holly Nottle | A G Durrant | 59kg | $1.80 |
| 2nd | 2 | Swingman | 5 | Zephen Johnston-Porter | J P Taylor | 56.5kg | $2.70 |
| 3rd | 3 | Slip The Jab | 8 | Chris Parnham | Luke Fernie | 55.5kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 5 | Door Buster | 4 | Holly Watson | D M Luciani | 54kg | $14.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Snip Of Romance | 2 | Natika Riordan | C G Willis | 51kg | $101.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Wiluna Lass | 9 | Natasha Faithfull | Josh Brown | 54kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Admire Tiff | 1 | Chanel Cooper | Brett Pope | 52kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Gypsy Rhyme | 10 | Laqdar Ramoly | S J Ryan | 54kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Jolson Al | 6 | Tyler Schiller | S & J Casey | 54kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Miss Finkmeyer | 7 | Lucy F Fiore | D T McAuliffe | 54kg |
Progressive 3yo gelding who won this grade last preparation and comes into this second-up after a solid third behind Desert Waves last start. The addition of blinkers and booking of Tommy Berry suggests stable confidence. Maps ideally from barrier 4 to settle in the first half of the field, which is crucial at Ascot.
The 2kg weight rise is a concern but his overall form and fitness edge make him the main danger. Strong jockey-trainer combination adds confidence.
Interesting runner with significant gear changes suggesting trainer sees improvement. Ramoly's excellent recent form (35% strike rate) and their strong combination stats provide confidence. From barrier 2, she'll likely lead or sit outside the leader. While her best form is at shorter trips, the gear changes and ideal map give her each-way claims.
Value runner who gets the perfect barrier draw at a track where inside positions are crucial. Recent third at Pinjarra shows he's coming to hand, and the booking of Tyler Schiller from Sydney indicates connections are having a crack.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Westbound | 4 | Tommy Berry | Michael Grantham | 56kg | $1.95 |
| 2nd | 1 | Stylish Lord | 5 | Chanel Cooper | Russell Stewart | 58.5kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Superfluous | 7 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Simon Miller | 55.5kg | $16.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Playing Quest | 1 | Tyler Schiller | M L Lane | 54kg | $11.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Kervette | 8 | Patrick Carbery | D M Luciani | 56kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Desert Waves | 3 | Holly Nottle | Summer Dickson | 56.5kg | $2.90 |
| 7th | 9 | Opal Tango | 10 | Jade Mc Naught | Greg Cave | 54kg | $201.00 |
| 8th | 7 | Starring Knight | 9 | Brayden Gaerth | B P Graham | 54.5kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 11 | Tallangatta | 11 | Natika Riordan | C G Willis | 51kg | $201.00 |
| 10th | 8 | Jay Dee | 6 | Keshaw Dhurun | G J McPherson | 54kg | $201.00 |
| 11th | 3 | Tropicconi | 2 | Laqdar Ramoly | Ms K Kersley | 57kg | $15.00 |
Progressive 3yo justified favouritism last start and maps perfectly from barrier 5. The Grantham/Johnston-Porter combination strikes at 22% and the horse appears to have more upside than older rivals. Distance query exists but form and fitness suggest he can handle the step up.
Last start second at Ascot suggests readiness for this level. Maps ideally from barrier 4 to settle handy.
Experienced galloper with solid 1800m form including last start 3rd at Ascot. The inside barrier allows Parnham to control positioning on a track favouring forward runners. While yet to win at this exact trip, his two heavy track victories show versatility.
Consistent mare who ran 2nd over track/distance last start. Her 1-2-0 record at 1800m Ascot is compelling and Ramoly's current 35% strike rate adds confidence. While the wide draw is concerning, she maps to get cover and the significant weight relief helps.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Holler Nuff | 5 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Michael Grantham | 57.5kg | $2.35 |
| 2nd | 5 | I Dreamed A Dream | 7 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S J Wolfe | 57.5kg | $14.00 |
| 3rd | 10 | Mistress Of War | 9 | Laqdar Ramoly | Ms K Kersley | 55kg | $10.00 |
| 4th | 7 | Macciateau | 6 | Holly Nottle | Summer Dickson | 54kg | $10.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Dark Looks | 10 | Patrick Carbery | A D Mathews | 59kg | $71.00 |
| 6th | 8 | Precious God | 4 | Brandon Louis | Ms P Wagg | 55.5kg | $5.50 |
| 7th | 11 | Shaula | 3 | Lucy F Fiore | Ms K Warwick | 54.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 6 | More Than Enuff | 11 | Cassey Martinan | S J Miller | 54kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 3 | Black For Cash | 1 | Luke Campbell | Ms J Erkelens | 58kg | $16.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Ilgiro Delmondo | 8 | Shaun O'Donnell | Ms J Erkelens | 55kg | $51.00 |
| 11th | 2 | Bird's The Word | 2 | Steven Parnham | Charlotte Skerritt | 58.5kg | $6.00 |
From barrier 4, he should control the tempo as one of two likely leaders. His 40% win rate and progression through the grades suggests he's ready for this class rise.
Her soft track record is exceptional, and while the track is Good 4, her recent third at this track shows she's competitive. The Tommy Berry booking is interesting despite his recent cold streak. She maps to settle just behind the speed and should get every chance.
Miss Skyhigh gets the services of William Pike from barrier 2, which signals stable confidence. She's been competing in Listed races and drops significantly in class. While her distance record is a concern, the class drop and ideal barrier should see her prominent throughout.
While the wide barrier is concerning at Ascot, Lucy Fiore's hot form (30% last 20) and the horse's strong overall record make him worth including.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | Rock 'n' The Jam | 4 | Tyler Schiller | Russell Stewart | 54kg | $2.35 |
| 2nd | 8 | Madame Magic | 10 | Holly Nottle | D & B Pearce | 54.5kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 10 | Antique Star | 1 | Tommy Berry | Michael Grantham | 55.5kg | $4.60 |
| 4th | 1 | Bakeel | 9 | Lucy F Fiore | G & A Williams | 60.5kg | $8.50 |
| 5th | 9 | Soldanelle | 11 | Chris Parnham | S V Vahala | 56.5kg | $21.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Investmentstrategy | 6 | Brad Parnham | N D Parnham | 59kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 5 | Famous Dain | 8 | Mark Zahra | D & B Pearce | 58kg | $21.00 |
| 8th | 7 | King Hit | 7 | Steven Parnham | T M Andrews | 57kg | $8.00 |
| 9th | 3 | River Rubicon | 3 | Luke Campbell | S J Wolfe | 59.5kg | $61.00 |
| 10th | 2 | Avoidance | 5 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S J Wolfe | 59.5kg | $12.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Miss Skyhigh | 2 | William Pike | G & A Williams | 57.5kg |
The wide draw is manageable given the fast tempo should provide cover, and Watson has a strong record aboard. First-up statistics show capability fresh, making him the standout winning chance.
The Cooper partnership has been highly successful (38% wins), and while she's yet to win at this track/distance, her consistency suggests she's due. Maps to get cover from the wide gate.
Spicy Thang represents each-way value after her last-start second in this grade. The booking of in-form Lucy Fiore (30% recent strike rate) is a positive move, and the filly gets in well at the weights with just 54kg.
The combination of barrier 5, just 52kg with Nottle's claim, and proven early speed makes her a live chance.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Kings Court | 7 | Zephen Johnston-Porter | C & M Gangemi | 56kg | $4.80 |
| 2nd | 2 | Ahyeahrighto | 3 | Paul Harvey | B P Graham | 60.5kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 7 | Storm Away | 10 | Holly Watson | Mitchell Pateman | 57.5kg | $4.20 |
| 4th | 5 | Niccimota | 9 | Chanel Cooper | J P Taylor | 57kg | $9.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Awesome Boy | 4 | Brandon Louis | B M Kay | 60kg | $8.50 |
| 6th | 10 | Dancewithme | 5 | Holly Nottle | Luke Fernie | 52kg | $4.80 |
| 7th | 6 | Prince | 8 | Natasha Faithfull | Samantha Faithfull | 58kg | $71.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Vomo Island | 1 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S J Wolfe | 57kg | $26.00 |
| 9th | 9 | Bigdayonit | 2 | Jason Whiting | A W Maley | 54kg | $71.00 |
| 10th | 1 | Military Power | 11 | Natika Riordan | J P Taylor | 58kg | $31.00 |
| Scr | 11 | Spicy Thang | 6 | Lucy F Fiore | Luke Fernie | 54kg |
Aurum Belle presents as the most likely winner based on pure form assessment. Her perfect 3-from-3 record at Ascot, including a Group 3 victory last start, demonstrates proven class. While barrier 16 is a concern, her tactical speed should allow her to overcome this.
Maria Lucia rates highly after running second in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes last start. The inside barrier 5 is a significant advantage at Ascot where positioning is crucial. The addition of blinkers for the first time could provide the edge needed to reverse placings with Aurum Belle.
Beatty's unbeaten record and Listed victory last start demand respect despite stepping up in grade. The colt draws perfectly in barrier 1 and has shown excellent gate speed. Second-up from a spell where he has a perfect record, the addition of blinkers could sharpen him further. William Pike's booking adds confidence, though the step to Group 2 level represents a significant test.
While barrier 9 is awkward, his forward racing pattern should see him positioned prominently.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Afireofgidgeecoals | 2 | Lucy F Fiore | D L Morton | 57kg | $31.00 |
| 2nd | 1 | Beatty | 1 | William Pike | S & J Casey | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 7 | Aurum Belle | 16 | Brad Parnham | N D Parnham | 55kg | $3.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Jedi Dream | 20 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S V Vahala | 55kg | $81.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Maria Lucia | 5 | Chris Parnham | S & J Casey | 55kg | $4.00 |
| 6th | 2 | He's A Machino | 9 | Tyler Schiller | S & J Casey | 57kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 15 | Lady Torque | 7 | John Allen | D L Morton | 55kg | $17.00 |
| 8th | 4 | Boy Crush | 3 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Luke Fernie | 57kg | $10.00 |
| 9th | 16 | Dixie Doo | 19 | Shaun O'Donnell | S & J Casey | 55kg | $151.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Ruthless Angel | 18 | Luke Campbell | D L Morton | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 11th | 3 | Wolf Whistle Zel | 10 | Jason Brown | J P Taylor | 57kg | $151.00 |
| 12th | 12 | Striking Alibi | 15 | Holly Watson | Luke Fernie | 55kg | $14.00 |
| 13th | 13 | Snow Monkey | 8 | Tommy Berry | Simon Miller | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 14th | 6 | One Last Resort | 17 | Joey Azzopardi | S & J Casey | 57kg | $151.00 |
| 15th | 11 | Rok 'n' Rom | 13 | Logan Bates | Josh Brown | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 16th | 14 | Yamanex | 12 | Steven Parnham | Josh Brown | 55kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 17 | Consignment | 6 | N D Parnham | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | Cos I Am | 14 | D & B Pearce | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 19 | Fast Break | 4 | Kieran Regan | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 20 | Street Monarch | 11 | Mitchell Pateman | 55kg |
The 41-day break is manageable for a horse of this calibre, and barrier 9 provides tactical options. Maps to settle midfield with cover and should be finishing strongly. Class edge over this field.
Second-up from a spell where this stable typically has horses primed. William Pike's booking is crucial and barrier 5 ideal for Ascot's inside bias. Won the Group 3 Colonel Reeves at this track last preparation and has placed here previously. Maps perfectly to stalk the speed and Pike knows this track intimately.
Proven Group 1 performer with exceptional 1200m credentials and a perfect record with jockey Logan Bates. The wide draw is problematic at Ascot where inside barriers dominate sprints, likely forcing him wide or back. His consistency and class make him a major player if he can overcome the barrier, but the draw makes him vulnerable.
Lightly-raced progressive type with a perfect record at the track and distance. His 86% career win rate is exceptional and he's unbeaten second-up.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Jigsaw | 13 | Logan Bates | Ms C Alderson | 58.5kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Rey Magnerio | 5 | William Pike | R D Griffiths | 58.5kg | $4.60 |
| 3rd | 12 | Talkanco | 3 | Lucy F Fiore | D & B Pearce | 54.5kg | $20.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Spywire | 1 | John Allen | C Maher | 58.5kg | $18.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Rope Them In | 10 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S J Wolfe | 58.5kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Caballus | 9 | Tommy Berry | Bjorn Baker | 58.5kg | $4.40 |
| 7th | 11 | Smooth Chino | 11 | Mark Zahra | Indianna Weinert | 58.5kg | $8.00 |
| 8th | 10 | Sisu Warrior | 8 | Shaun O'Donnell | D M Luciani | 58.5kg | $201.00 |
| 9th | 7 | Oscar's Fortune | 12 | Patrick Carbery | D M Luciani | 58.5kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 13 | Luana Miss | 6 | Chris Parnham | T M Andrews | 54.5kg | $11.00 |
| 11th | 9 | West Star | 4 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Simon Miller | 58.5kg | $51.00 |
| 12th | 4 | Magnificent Andy | 2 | Brad Parnham | S J Miller | 58.5kg | $61.00 |
| 13th | 5 | Jedibeel | 7 | Tyler Schiller | Brad Widdup | 58.5kg | $16.00 |
| Scr | 14 | Repossession | 14 | C & M Gangemi | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Cessation | 15 | Tiarnna Noske | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Cut The Talk | 16 | T W Crosby | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Sky Duke | 17 | N D Parnham | 58.5kg |
The Gangemi stable runner has shown tactical speed to lead or sit handy, which suits Ascot's forward-position bias perfectly. While unproven at 1200m here, his class edge and Brad Parnham's strong 25% strike rate aboard suggest he can overcome the distance query.
Her exceptional track/distance record (25% win, 88% place from 8 starts) and ability to race on-speed make her ideally suited. While the Jarrad Noske booking is concerning given his 5% recent strike rate, her consistency and suitability offset this concern.
While her track/distance record is concerning, the 2kg weight relief and neutral draw give her each-way claims.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12 | Cessation | 8 | Jarrad Noske | Tiarnna Noske | 56.5kg | $3.70 |
| 2nd | 3 | Repossession | 1 | Brad Parnham | C & M Gangemi | 58.5kg | $2.50 |
| 3rd | 11 | Petula | 5 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Simon Miller | 56.5kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 10 | Exceed The Planet | 9 | Patrick Carbery | Sue Olive | 58.5kg | $13.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Thermosphere Lad | 10 | Keshaw Dhurun | Angela Johnston | 58.5kg | $19.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Russian To The Bar | 3 | Chris Parnham | Luke Fernie | 58.5kg | $26.00 |
| 7th | 5 | King Adviso | 7 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | C & M Gangemi | 58.5kg | $13.00 |
| 8th | 9 | Wineaclocksumwhere | 2 | Natasha Faithfull | Samantha Faithfull | 58.5kg | $18.00 |
| 9th | 1 | Sky Duke | 6 | Luke Campbell | N D Parnham | 58.5kg | $61.00 |
| 10th | 7 | Cut The Talk | 4 | Laqdar Ramoly | T W Crosby | 58.5kg | $26.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Investmentstrategy | 10 | N D Parnham | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Stormchaser | 5 | Luke Fernie | 58.5kg |
Horcrux profiles as the most likely winner despite carrying top weight. The Mark Zahra booking is a statement of intent from Simon Miller, and the horse is dropping from BM72 where he ran 2nd just 16 days ago. His on-pace racing style suits Ascot perfectly, and barrier 5 allows him to secure a forward position without covering extra ground. While the weight is a concern, his class edge and race fitness give him the strongest winning chance.
Malletier has won his only two starts at Ascot over 1200m and gets the services of William Pike who is 2 from 2 aboard. While this is a significant class rise, his progressive profile and perfect track record make him a serious threat. The 27-day break is manageable, and Pike's engagement suggests confidence from the stable. Maps to get a soft run midfield from barrier 7.
The 3yo gets in well at the weights with just 54kg and has drawn perfectly in barrier 4. While inexperienced, his raw speed and the strong Johnston-Porter/Grantham combination (22% strike rate) make him a legitimate threat if he can transfer his form to this level.
The combination with in-form jockey Ramoly (35% recent strike rate) has been successful, and the horse has a good second-up record.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Sir Dreamalot | 1 | Brad Parnham | Joshua Krispyn | 57.5kg | $26.00 |
| 2nd | 11 | Gi Gi Pops | 2 | Natasha Faithfull | T W Crosby | 54kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | Malletier | 7 | William Pike | Luke Fernie | 58.5kg | $2.80 |
| 4th | 2 | Horcrux | 5 | Mark Zahra | Simon Miller | 59.5kg | $3.20 |
| 5th | 3 | Snippy Which | 3 | Holly Nottle | A G Durrant | 57.5kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Valsassina | 8 | Shaun O'Donnell | Nakita Barber | 54.5kg | $101.00 |
| 7th | 13 | Wheely | 4 | Clint Johnston-Porter | Michael Grantham | 54kg | $5.50 |
| 8th | 1 | Cold Shizzle | 9 | Zephen Johnston-Porter | D T McAuliffe | 58kg | $81.00 |
| 9th | 9 | Maalis Song | 10 | Laqdar Ramoly | Meryl Hayley | 55.5kg | $17.00 |
| 10th | 7 | Brave Spirit | 11 | Lucy F Fiore | Brandon Fiore | 57kg | $19.00 |
| 11th | 8 | Missile Storm | 12 | Paul Harvey | Renee Forrest | 57kg | $101.00 |
| 12th | 5 | Little Silver | 6 | Shaun Mc Gruddy | S J Wolfe | 58kg | $71.00 |
| 13th | 12 | Nobellity | 13 | Joey Azzopardi | Renee Forrest | 54kg | $151.00 |
Before the races, not after
Our top three picks and a value pick for every race, with assessed prices, speed maps and the analysis behind them. Free for 7 days.