Thursday, 25 June 2026
No more jumps at this meeting today.
Punty's Punts
Race type: Maiden, 1400m
Map & tempo: Slow pace; the leaders won't be busting records and the race could turn into a sprint home off a jog.
Punty read:
This is the kind of maiden where half the field looks like it needs a GPS to find the line. Light Of The World is the market pick and gets the nod from the alley and the gear change, but it isn't exactly a walk-up millionaire on exposed form. Manhattan Rhythm and Free Ride are the ones that can fill a drum if the race becomes a sit-and-sprint affair, while Miss Applecross is the little bit of spice if she jumps and finally does something useful. Carrigane Boy is the backmarker with a decent barrier, but in a crawl he risks getting left with too much to do while the others are still having a lie-down.
Top 3 + Roughie ($20.00 pool)
1. Light Of The World (No.4) — $3.58 / $1.82 🏆 2ND
Bet $15.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$15.00
Prob 24.9% | Place: 34.5% | Value: 1.16x
Why Gelded now, maps in the right part of the race, and in a thin maiden the one with the cleanest tactical setup can pinch it without needing to be brilliant.
2. Manhattan Rhythm (No.1) — $4.05 / $1.95 🏆 WINNER
Bet $5.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$6.50
Prob 17.8% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.67x
3. Free Ride (No.3) — $4.95 / $2.25 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.8% | Place: 32.5% | Value: 1.13x
Why Blinkers off first time can sharpen him up, but he's still got to find another gear and this doesn't look a race where you want to get too brave.
Roughie: Miss Applecross (No.7) — $10.00 / $3.80 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.6% | Place: 25.5% | Value: 1.18x
Why Pike in the saddle is always worth a second look, but she's a roughie for a reason and needs the race to fall her way.
Race type: Maiden, 1100m
Map & tempo: Hot pace; they'll be flying early and the swoopers get their chance if the leaders overcook it.
Punty read:
Now we're cooking. This is the race where the speed map actually matters, because there's enough pace to make the front-runners earn their keep. Bookends from barrier 1 gets the dream ride and is the one to beat, but Dirty Habits is the sneaky one - held up last start, maps to sit off a hot tempo and could be flying late if the leaders start doing a Fast & Furious impersonation and lose control. Zero To Sixty has a gear tweak and enough early speed to be right in the picture, while the market watch on Penny Pincher says someone's had a nibble, though the race itself is still built around the obvious trio.
Top 3 + Roughie ($19.00 pool)
1. Bookends (No.5) — $1.73 / $1.13 🏆 WINNER
Bet $8.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$5.84
Prob 44.0% | Place: 95.0% | Value: 1.06x
Why Pike from barrier 1 in a hot-speed maiden is the sort of setup that lets a short-priced horse do exactly what the punters want - sit, stalk and pounce.
2. Dirty Habits (No.2) — $4.25 / $1.35 🏆 2ND
Bet $10.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$6.00
Prob 17.8% | Place: 66.7% | Value: 0.67x
Why The held-up excuse last time rings true, and if the tempo goes crackers this bloke will be one of the few still charging when the others are puffing like chain smokers.
3. Zero To Sixty (No.1) — $6.15 / $1.85 🏆 3RD
Bet $1.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$0.85
Prob 12.8% | Place: 54.9% | Value: 1.68x
Why Cross-over nose band first time in a race with plenty of pressure - if the little gear tweak helps him settle and jump clean, he can lob right into the finish.
Roughie: Bricini (No.6) — $33.00 / $4.80 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 1.9% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.47x
Why Big outsider, but if the leaders go suicidal and the race unravels, the backmarker can clatter into the minors at a price.
Race type: Maiden, 1100m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace; not a burn-up, not a picnic - the right horse gets the chance to stalk and pounce.
Punty read:
Badger Bob is the obvious one to beat with Pike in the saddle and a decent draw, but this is the sort of maiden where the race shape can still throw a spanner in the works. Bubbles In Rio resumes and has shown enough in bits and pieces to keep the place players happy, especially with weight relief and the ability to map the speed. Sapphire Dawn has the money and the fresh legs to be dangerous late - that last bit of support isn't there for fun. Che Figata is the one the map likes if he doesn't get buried too far back, while Acquired Taste and Insofaras are the sort of rough ends that can mug the exotics if the top picks fluff their lines.
Top 3 + Roughie ($18.00 pool)
1. Badger Bob (No.2) — $2.49 / $1.25 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $6.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$6.00
Prob 28.4% | Place: 95.0% | Value: 0.90x
Why Pike from barrier 3 in a moderate-tempo maiden is gold dust - clean run, no nonsense, and a fair chance of simply out-riding them.
2. Bubbles In Rio (No.4) — $4.40 / $1.60 🏆 2ND
Bet $10.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$6.00
Prob 17.2% | Place: 95.0% | Value: 0.56x
Why First-up off a long break with a legitimate excuse last start and enough map speed to be on the premises throughout.
3. Sapphire Dawn (No.9) — $4.95 / $1.75 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $2.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$2.00
Prob 15.2% | Place: 63.7% | Value: 1.39x
Why The money says the stable means business, and if the fresh horse gets the right tow into the race she can run over the top of a few tired legs.
Roughie: Greyt Ruby (No.7) — $10.00 / $2.70 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.2% | Place: 58.7% | Value: 0.81x
Why Don't need to throw the kitchen sink at her, but if the race gets messy and she stalks the right tempo, she can sneak into the frame.
Race type: Handicap, 1000m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace; Sunlit Fresco looks the leader and the race should be run at a proper lick.
Punty read:
This is a cracker. Admire The Girl is the class horse of the race and Pike has her drawn to get every chance, but Sniper's Son is the sneaky drag because the drift says the market's not sending any love while the form says he's still good enough to be around the money. Sunlit Fresco has the money and the map, so if the market steam is the real deal and not just a bunch of hopefuls with beer money, she can make them chase from the front. Smart Return is the roughie the market keeps whispering about, and the late support says the stable might have one ready to lob if the leaders go too hard.
Top 3 + Roughie ($16.50 pool)
1. Admire The Girl (No.4) — $2.33 / $1.22 🏆 4TH
Bet $7.50 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$7.50
Prob 27.4% | Place: 66.7% | Value: 0.81x
Why Pike, the right draw, and a race shape that should let her stalk the speed and finish over the top without needing a miracle.
2. Sesh (No.5) — $3.42 / $1.25 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.6% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 0.72x
Why A real chance — but at $1.25 the place he's not a saver, he's a punt, and that's not a price I insure at. Watching, not betting.
3. Sniper's Son (No.2) — $5.50 / $1.70 🏆 WINNER
Bet $9.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$6.30
Prob 16.1% | Place: 63.7% | Value: 1.13x
Why Big drift or not, he's the honest horse in the race and the 3kg up isn't ideal, but the bloke still maps to sit in the first wave and stick on.
Roughie: Smart Return (No.6) — $13.50 / $2.90 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.8% | Place: 58.7% | Value: 0.99x
Why The map gives him a sniff and the money says he's not here for a sightseeing tour; if the leaders knock the stuffing out of each other, he can absolutely nab a cheque.
Race type: Maiden, 1300m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace; Spanish Armada leads and the front half won't get any peace.
Punty read:
Peanut Butter is the favourite and probably deserves to be at the pointy end of the market, but he isn't exactly treating the ring like a charity fundraiser. Spanish Armada can roll forward and give the race some shape, while Forgotten Son is the one you want lurking if the tempo cooks the front end and the wide gate isn't a funeral sentence. Tanunda is the eye-catcher on the market and the big move says someone likes him, but the locked trio still revolves around the solid types rather than chasing every siren song. Aussie Reactor and New Discovery are the rough angles if you're feeling punchy, but the top trio is where the money's parked.
Top 3 + Roughie ($16.00 pool)
1. Peanut Butter (No.1) — $2.82 / $1.30 🏆 4TH
Bet $6.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$6.00
Prob 22.9% | Place: 95.0% | Value: 0.81x
Why Barrier 1 is the killer app here - if he holds a handy spot without spending petrol, he gets every chance to out-tough this lot late.
2. Spanish Armada (No.5) — $3.65 / $1.40 🏆 2ND
Bet $6.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$3.00
Prob 22.9% | Place: 66.7% | Value: 0.97x
Why The leader's map makes him hard to ignore, and if he gets a clean sectional without being cooked, he can hang on for a slice.
3. Forgotten Son (No.2) — $9.20 / $2.45 🏆 WINNER
Bet $4.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$5.80
Prob 9.5% | Place: 58.7% | Value: 1.12x
Why The wide gate isn't pretty, but the pace map is your mate here - if they go too hard early, he's the one who can swoop over the top.
Roughie: Aussie Reactor (No.3) — $9.50 / $2.60 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.7% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 0.60x
Why First-time tongue tie is the only really interesting thing about him, and he needs the race to go a bit pear-shaped to really matter.
Race type: Handicap, 1400m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace; this should be run at a sensible clip, which usually means the handy horses get every chance.
Punty read:
This is a proper scrappy handicap where the map matters more than a glossy form line. Jimmy Angel is the solid old operator and gets the benefit of a handy run, Vandoula Jet is the obvious danger from the better gate even if the gear changes scream 'we're simplifying things', and Lady Money Talk is the sort who can make you look clever if you catch her on the right day. More Heroic and Global Trip are the ones who can spice up the exotics if the race shape gets a bit ugly, but the market doesn't need a fireworks display to know the main players.
Top 3 + Roughie ($17.50 pool)
1. Jimmy Angel (No.1) — $4.10 / $1.60 🏆 WINNER
Bet $13.50 Each Way ($6.75W + $6.75P) — ✓ Won, net +$29.70
Prob 18.3% | Place: 54.9% | Value: 0.96x
Why Consistent, maps up on the speed, and with a decent setup he doesn't need to improve by much to be right in the finish.
2. Vandoula Jet (No.2) — $3.42 / $1.40 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.3% | Place: 58.7% | Value: 0.80x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Lady Money Talk (No.6) — $4.45 / $1.70 🏆 2ND
Bet $4.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$2.80
Prob 18.3% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.04x
Why She's the kind of mare who can stalk a moderate tempo and nick a nice run if the leaders aren't allowed to loaf.
Roughie: Crashed And Burned (No.4) — $25.00 / $5.00 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 3.8% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.21x
Why The price is juicy because the form looks ordinary, but if the race turns into a brawl and he gets a cart into it, he's the one who can clatter into the minors.
Race type: Handicap, 1600m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace; Old Mate Henry and Flash Paddy should keep it honest, but it's still a race where the finish could bunch up.
Punty read:
This is the quaddie leg that can make grown men cry into their stubby holders. Shimonoseki is the favourite and clearly the horse the market wants to own, but the map says the race might be more interesting than the price suggests. Autumn Gem has the form and the right sort of settling pattern, Jazz Me Baby is the sneaky one if she can lob and save energy, and Old Mate Henry is the backmarker with the pace to suit and a jockey who won't be shy about making a move. Wynn Las Vegas is the sleeper if the race gets tempo-heavy, and the rest are there to make sure no-one gets comfortable.
Top 3 + Roughie ($18.00 pool)
1. Autumn Gem (No.9) — $4.60 / $1.80 🏆 3RD
Bet $11.50 Each Way ($5.75W + $5.75P) — Cashed, net +$0.00
Prob 17.0% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.02x
Why She's the reliable type in a race that can turn messy late, and her run style gives her the chance to settle, switch off and finish harder than most.
2. Jazz Me Baby (No.12) — $4.30 / $1.70 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.4% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 0.92x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Old Mate Henry (No.2) — $8.35 / $2.40 🏆 2ND
Bet $6.50 Place — ✓ Won, net +$13.65
Prob 12.2% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.32x
Why The pace set-up is his friend, and with the right tow into the race he can be the one charging down the outside when the rest are gasping.
Roughie: Dandy's Gem (No.4) — $14.75 / $3.70 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.1% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.97x
Why Needs the tempo to be kind, but if they overdo it up front and he gets a soft enough trip, he's capable of sneaking into the placings.
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 4,5,2,3 / 1,5,2,3 / 6,2,1 / 9,12,2,4 (192 combos x $0.13 = $25.00) -- 13% flexi
The day's multi leans on three win legs across the card.
1 - Bookends (Race 2, No.5)✓ Won — $1.73
2 - Badger Bob (Race 3, No.2) — $2.49
3 - Admire The Girl (Race 4, No.4)✗ — $2.33
Meeting Stats
Selections
Punty's Early Mail
Rightio Loose Units, Northam's serving up a Good 4 with the rail out 7m and a nasty northerly doing laps like it's trying to blow the jockeys' caps into Geraldton. This is one of those days where the on-pacers can look like geniuses early, then the wind turns the straight into a bloody treadmill and the swoopers come roaring home like the last scene of Rocky.
MEET SNAPSHOT
Track: Northam, 1000-1600m card
Rail: +7m Entire
Official going: Good 4 (expected to play fair-ish, but handy runners should get first crack)
Weather: Sunny, 16°C, humidity 59%, wind 37km/h N (watch for gusty headwind effects late)
Early lane guess: Handy to middle; don't get too cute buried on the fence if the wind bites
Tempo profile: A mixed bag - Race 2 is the burn-up, Race 1 is crawl city, and the quaddie legs are spicy enough to give you heartburn
Jockeys to follow:
William Pike, the bloke's on key rides in Bookends and Admire The Girl; when Pike lands on the short one, it's usually for a reason.
Brad Parnham, has a stack of live rides across the card and knows how to milk Northam pace maps.
Clint Johnston-Porter, plenty of chances in the right races; if one of his gets the soft map, pay attention.
Stables to respect:
D R Harrison (3 runners), a few map-friendly types and enough live chances to make noise.
G & A Williams (3 runners), Pike's getting the right steer here, and the stable knows how to place one.
Michael Grantham (3 runners), not throwing darts for fun; his runners are in races where they can actually matter.
Punty's take:
This is not a meeting where you can just back the shiny favourite and go full Homer Simpson into the donut box. The sprints are the real battleground: Race 2 is a proper tempo test, Race 4 has the kind of pressure that can expose the pretenders, and Race 7 is the sort of handicap that can make smart punters look like prophets or mugs in the space of 200 metres. The Good 4 helps, but that wind is the sneaky bastard in the room - it can flatten the leaders late and make the late closers feel like they've hit the eject button out of a fighter jet.
The other big angle is market intent. There's money around the joint for a few of them - Tanunda, Sunlit Fresco, Sapphire Dawn, Penny Pincher - but this isn't one of those meetings where you follow every bit of steam like a Labrador chasing a tennis ball. Some of the support is genuine, some of it looks like the bookies are sweating a touch, and some of it is just punters falling in love with a nice graph. The good news? We've got a few races where the map and the stable intent line up nicely, so there's a spine to build around rather than just praying for chaos.
What it means for you:
Lean into the races where the map is clear and the horse isn't being asked to perform a miracle. Bookends in Race 2 looks the sort of shortie you can happily use as a banker, while Badger Bob in Race 3 and Admire The Girl in Race 4 give the day a proper backbone. If you're playing the multi, don't get greedy and start shoving in random roughies because they look romantic - that's how you end up staring at your ticket like it's a bad text from an ex.
This card screams place-first thinking more than smash-and-grab win betting. A few of the shorties look a bit skinny, a few of the roughies are only worth a sniff if the race shape collapses, and the quaddie is wide enough to keep you honest. If you want to survive the day, build around the right map horses, respect the gear changes, and don't chase the $20-$50 lottery tickets unless the race falls into your lap.