Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Northern Territory · Saturday 8 August 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 7 races at Alice Springs. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Voronya is the clear form standout, having won twice at Pioneer Park itself in its last four starts and now dropping in grade from Bench 68 into today's Class 2. Barrier 7 and topweight are the only real concerns, but proven course-and-surface winning form at this specialist dirt track outweighs them.
It just needs to convert minor placings into a win, and this drop back to 1200m with a handy barrier looks the ideal opportunity.
Splish Splash is a genuine Pioneer Park specialist with 22 runs at the track and the best barrier draw (3) of any leading contender at a venue where inside gates are decisive. Limited winning ability is the main knock, but conditions suit strongly.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Voronya | 7 | Paul Denton | Greg Connor | 60kg | $1.40 |
| 2nd | 2 | Brazen Sailor | 6 | Hannah Le Blanc | W A Savage | 56.5kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 7 | D'ambidex | 2 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 55kg | $11.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Splish Splash | 3 | Deborah Barton | C Hunter | 53kg | $16.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Vatican Rose | 1 | Ianish Luximon | Kym Healy | 55kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 3 | Snick | 5 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 6 | Bad Man | 4 | Lek Maloney | Terry Huish | 53.5kg | $15.00 |
Our Squamosa draws the rail at a venue where inside gates are decisive, and has repeatedly performed at this exact class level at Pioneer Park (a close 2nd and a 4th in Class 2 previously).
Startyourengine has strung together three genuine placings at Pioneer Park with tightening margins, and profiles as one of the only speed types in a field lacking genuine leaders - a clear tactical advantage in a projected slow-tempo affair. The unresolved maiden status and class hike temper conviction, but the map suits and fitness is trending the right way.
Riverina Waltz drops into an ideal inside gate and carries recent winning form at this circuit, with a well-performed hoop booked. Solid each-way overlay claims relative to the more fancied runners.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Highstrung | 3 | Jessica Booth | Ray Viney | 55kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 4 | Startyourengine | 5 | Danielle Hirini | Greg Connor | 55kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 6 | Epic Jewel | 6 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 55kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 3 | Our Squamosa | 1 | Lek Maloney | Ms K Petrick | 53.5kg | $2.70 |
| 5th | 2 | Riverina Waltz | 2 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 55.5kg | $5.00 |
| 6th | 5 | Desi's Spirit | 4 | Ianish Luximon | Kym Healy | 55kg | $81.00 |
Drawn perfectly in barrier 1 at a track where inside gates dominate, it arrives in career-best form with a dominant win last start and a rock-solid record at Pioneer Park (21:5-4-2).
Bahama Bay's last two runs at Fannie Bay look forgivable given they came away from his home track in tougher grade. Back at Pioneer Park, where he has won or placed in 7 of 10 starts, he rates as a leading place chance despite the recent dip. Barrier 6 is workable and the return to a proven track is the key positive supporting a bounce-back run.
Delago Lad's long-term inconsistency is real, but his affinity for Pioneer Park at 1200m is hard to ignore - a 64% place strike rate at today's exact track/distance. Drawn perfectly in barrier 2, and with recent runs of 5-3-6 showing he remains competitive, he rates as a leading placings hope even without a recent win, and offers repeat-course insurance behind the top pick.
Rock Of Kryptonite is unproven fresh off a long spell, but his first-up record still shows four placings from ten attempts, and he owns arguably the best course record in this field (22:5-5-5). The ideal barrier 3 draw and a red-hot rider in Jessie Philpot add further appeal.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Lucky Fortuna | 7 | Ianish Luximon | Kym Healy | 55kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 5 | Real Valentia | 5 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 4 | Rock Of Kryptonite | 3 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 4th | 1 | Bahama Bay | 6 | Lek Maloney | Ms K Petrick | 57.5kg | $3.80 |
| 5th | 2 | Luskin Hero | 1 | Paul Denton | Greg Connor | 58.5kg | $3.70 |
| 6th | 6 | Excuses Excuses | 4 | Danielle Hirini | J B Carroll | 55kg | $19.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Delago Lad | 2 | Hannah Le Blanc | Greg Connor | 56kg | $6.50 |
Barrier 2 is prime real estate here, he backs up quickly, and keeps a rider who knows him. Rates the most complete package in the race on form.
Only The Best snapped a middling patch with a dominant last-start win at Pioneer Park, retaining the rider who has a 30% strike rate on him. Barrier 4 lands in the track's best zone and his overall course record (5-5-5 from 32) underlines his affinity here.
Bonny Impact has been racing honestly in stronger Rest.58-64 grade at Pioneer Park, placing consistently without quite getting there. Dropping back to BM54 — the level she won at in January — and fresh off 13 days, she rates as a leading placing hope even from a moderate barrier. Course-proven and class-relieved.
Revolution Rising draws barrier 1, the standout gate at Pioneer Park, and has been racing consistently in the minor placings while dropping in class.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Tango Stepz | 3 | Jessica Booth | Ray Viney | 57kg | $9.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Revolution Rising | 1 | Jade Doyle | Greg Connor | 58kg | $12.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Bonny Impact | 6 | Danielle Hirini | Greg Connor | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Only The Best | 4 | Hannah Le Blanc | W A Savage | 57.5kg | $9.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Lean On Me | 5 | Deborah Barton | Ms K Petrick | 54kg | $9.50 |
| 6th | 2 | Dad Bod | 2 | Lek Maloney | Ms K Petrick | 59kg | $2.20 |
| 7th | 1 | High Ambitions | 7 | Paul Denton | Greg Connor | 61kg | $4.60 |
Two tight-margin seconds last start show she is racing at peak fitness. Barrier 5 is workable, and Philpot is riding in career-best form.
However, the horse is yet to win at Pioneer Park or at 1400m despite regular opportunity, which is enough to drop it behind a horse with a proven track/distance record. Still a leading each-way/place hope given the tactical advantages on offer today.
A track/distance specialist (3 wins from 6 at Pioneer Park 1400m) whose recent Fannie Bay form over shorter trips looks out of context with her genuine best conditions.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Limited Risk | 4 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 60kg | $2.30 |
| 2nd | 4 | Dolce D'amour | 3 | Lek Maloney | Ms K Petrick | 53.5kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 2 | Stella Bystarlight | 5 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 58kg | $3.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Nasha | 2 | Danielle Hirini | Barry Cooke | 55kg | $21.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Pub Crawl | 6 | Jessica Booth | Kym Healy | 52kg | $4.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Valley Prince | 1 | Hannah Le Blanc | W A Savage | 55.5kg | $12.00 |
The Big Freeze holds a standout 4-from-11 record at Pioneer Park specifically over 1400m and returns to the Restricted 64 grade it won at this course/distance on 14 June.
Rates a strong threat behind The Big Freeze rather than the clear top selection.
Capistan is the model of consistency without the finishing sting - placed in six of its last ten starts but with just a single win from 30 career starts.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Forever A Diamond | 5 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 55kg | $3.80 |
| 2nd | 2 | The Big Freeze | 2 | Deborah Barton | C Hunter | 55kg | $2.70 |
| 3rd | 3 | Cours Vite | 6 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 55kg | $14.00 |
| 4th | 1 | Scissor Me Timbers | 1 | Paul Denton | Greg Connor | 59.5kg | $2.90 |
| 5th | 4 | Capistan | 4 | Jessica Booth | Ray Viney | 52kg | $7.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Love To Lie | 3 | Ianish Luximon | Kym Healy | 55kg | $81.00 |
Drawn ideally in barrier 2, fresh off a win, and has already shown he handles this exact grade with a close second in March.
A genuine Pioneer Park specialist with the plum barrier draw and a consistent recent sequence (3-1-3), including a win at an equivalent class level. Her jockey is the form rider of the meeting.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Grinzinger Bishop | 4 | Ianish Luximon | Kym Healy | 57kg | $2.40 |
| 2nd | 5 | Mr Jones | 3 | Jade Doyle | Kym Healy | 55kg | $4.60 |
| 3rd | 1 | Flying Start | 2 | Paul Denton | Greg Connor | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 4 | Grinzinger Lass | 1 | Jessie Philpot | Ray Viney | 56kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 2 | Highlands | 5 | Jessica Booth | Ray Viney | 55.5kg | $4.20 |
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.