The Pinjarra Classic: What History Says Posted on February 24, 2017February 24, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli BACKGROUND A field of nine starters contested the first running of the Listed Pinjarra Classic in 1998. The fancied runners included Cash In The Bank and Jacks Or Better who battled out favouritism. But Sounds Of Legend, trained by Jim Taylor and ridden by Paul Harvey, proved too strong, scoring by a half-length from Volstag with Zacaboy third. The Pinjarra Classic has been run over distances ranging between 1200m and 1500m and in 2008 was hosted at Ascot. JOCKEY Paul Harvey has ridden three Pinjarra Classic winners, the best of any rider. After Sounds Of Legend he partnered Bumbelina (2001) and Mr Callahan (2002). William Pike, Jason Whiting, Troy Turner, Shaun O’Donnell and Peter Hall have won the race on two occasions. Pike won his first Pinjarra Classic on Glory Hunter (2010) and followed up soon after with Vermeer (2013). Whiting combined with Harvard (2009) and last year with First Among Equals. Turner won his two races almost a decade apart. He guided Kame’s Hope (2003) for mentor, Colin Webster and Watermans Bay (2014). O’Donnell rode popular local Pinjarra galloper, Royal Lott (2006) before completing the double with Bites The Dust (2012). Kyra Yuill is the only rider in the field of nine in Sunday’s feature who already has a Pinjarra Classic to her name after guiding Henry De Horse (2011) to victory. Yuill and Alana Williams, who sat aboard On Target (2005), are the only females to ride a Pinjarra Classic winner. They team up on Sunday with Coming Back, a horse trained by Williams and her partner, Grant Williams. Eight riders engaged in Sunday’s sprint feature can record their maiden wins in the Pinjarra Classic: Dan Staeck (Divine Calling), Craig Staples (Great Shot), Chris Parnham (Rebel King), Pat Carbery (Django), Brad Parnham (Havana), Jerry Noske (Man Booker), Steven Parnham (North Ridge) and Peter Knuckey (Rowie). Knuckey and Carbery have gone close previously with three minor placings each. TRAINER Geoff Roberts with Corporate Gun (1999-2000) and long-time Pinjarra committee member, Keith Jeffries, with Royal Lott (2006-2008) are the most successful trainers of the Pinjarra Classic. The Bruce Watkins-Gary Hitchcock co-partnership and Vaughn Sigley are the sole trainers to prepare a Pinjarra Classic quinella. Watkins and Hitchcock prepared Vermeer and Kerrific (2013) and Sigley looked over Black Heart Bart and Dawn Approach. Fred Kersley (Divine Calling-Northridge), Rhys Radford (Great Shot), Darren McAuliffe (Rebel King), Alan Mathews (Django), Chris Gangemi (Havana), Grant and Alana Williams (Coming Back), Dan Morton (Manbooker) and Stephen Sheehy (Rowie) can claim their first wins. Morton placed three times previously with Red Ora (2016) and Oroya Gold (2008-2009). BARRIERS Django (2) and Havana (9) will be out to maintain the dominance of barriers two and nine which have won four Pinjarra Classics. Remarkably barrier nine won in three consecutive years: Mr Callahan (2002), Kame’s Hope (2003) and Mapperholic (2004). Northridge (3), Rowie (4), Great Shot (5) and Coming Back (8) will have to buck the trend with no horses winning from their respective starting gates. LEAD UP RACES Seven of the 19 champions won their lead-up race before the Pinjarra Classic, seven were placed and one was successful when first up. The past three winners: First Among Equals (2016), Black Heart Bart (2015) and Watermans Bay (2014) have come through winning the Cyril Flower Stakes. Great Shot, who won the Cyril Flower Stakes a week ago and Man Booker are last start winners, Django has been freshened and Havana kicks off his campaign. WEIGHT Black Heart Bart lumped the highest weight to win the Pinjarra Classic, he carried 59kg in 2015.
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets May 31, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 5 No. 8 Wise Barra Went looking for the stronger types for tonight’s meeting, with a lot of rain around the track will… Read More
TIPS – Greyhound Jet Set Podcast May 30, 2025 Mandurah Friday David Shortte 5-1 Iron Works (1&6 Quinella) 6-2 Bakes On Lakes e/w 9-1 Sunset Ali Quaddie : 156 – 12367 – 1238 –… Read More
Weekend Tipsters May 30, 2025 Caulfield Saturday Brent Zerafa Quaddie 3 4 7 – 1 3 6 12 13 – 7 10 – 1 5 8 13 16 18 Best… Read More
Scott Embry’s Monday Northam Preview May 30, 2025 RACE 1 NEW HYMN SHEET won her most recent 950m trial at Lark Hill showing a nice turn of foot and with impressive debut winner… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Northam Preview May 30, 2025 Race 1 SHEHADI (7) is bouncing back to her better form and looks set to get the good run and will be very dangerous late… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Wagin Preview May 30, 2025 Race 1 GALEOCERDO CUVIER (10) has got a few strings to his bow in this grade and although I would much prefer him off the… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 12 May 30, 2025 THURSDAY Brisbane v Essendon, Gabba, 5.30pm Brisbane sent a timely reminder to the football community that they have a major role to play in the… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview May 30, 2025 RACE 1 SNAKERATTLENROLL had her first start for new trainer Justin A. Robins and finsihd third behind Karnup Queen (since won a C1) and Classic… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Pinjarra Preview May 29, 2025 RACE 1 SILENT DIVA could not have been more impressive on debut. She won against the typical Belmont 1000m pattern (next two winners settled second… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview May 29, 2025 RACE 1 Group 1 racing continues at Eagle Farm on Saturday with the Queensland Derby & Kingsford Smith Cup the features. Rain is forecast for… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Port Hedland Preview May 29, 2025 RACE 1 BRAZILIAN BELLE was scratched from Roebourne last weekend for a future nomination and the stablemate Matsoka was able to get the job done… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets May 29, 2025 MANDURAH Race 2 No. 1 Haper Smirch Real box 1 bandit this chaser and that was evident last start scoring from the Cherry in 17.32… Read More