Every Saturday, Ryan Phelan hunts for the most reliable locks to strengthen your multi bets. By analysing race maps, sectional times, and key trainer/driver combinations, he delivers sharp insights to add confidence – and a touch of excitement – to your harness racing, thoroughbred, or sports multis.
Each selection is rated with low, medium, or high confidence and includes a suggested place or win price. The goal? Minimise risk, maximise consistency, and stack the odds in your favour for a strong overall return.
Race 1 – 1690m Willowood Farm Pace
1/2 Emily Vincent – James Herbertson/Adam Stephens
Emily Vincent looks well drawn here and has been racing terrifically, running strong times from far worse barriers. She can press forward, find the top or take a sit, and be very hard to run down over the mile.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.60
Race 2 – 2190m NMW Pace
2/10 Herakles – Mark Pitt/Kristy Butler
Herakles has been racing well in tougher company than he meets here and holding his own. He was a forgive run with a flat tyre in the Cobram Cup last start and had been good prior. He also loves this track.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.80
Race 3 – 2190m VHRC Trot
3/9 Avant Guard – Ellen Tormey/Ross Graham
Avant Guard finds the most suitable race he’s struck for some time, taking on smart types that are better suited under standing start conditions. He was uncharacteristically poorly away from the mobile three runs back, but if he brings his best, he’s open to improvement at value.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.80
Race 4 – 2190m Goodfellows GV Regional Trotters Cup Final
4/13 With Aplomb – John Caldow/Steve Cleave
With Aplomb has really clicked with new trainer Steve Cleave, with her past five runs full of merit regardless of finishing position. If she gets away safely, expect her to be very strong over the final lap.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.00
Race 5 – 2690m Munro & Associates Conveyancing Shepparton Trotters (G3)
5/2 Im Bobby – James Herbertson/Eddie Tappe
Im Bobby peaks here fourth-up and finds a terrific set-up to win trainer Eddie Tappe’s local Cup. He has good gate speed and if he finds the front, it’s hard to see him handing up, giving him his best chance to fend off a class act like Arcee Phoenix.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.10
Race 6 – 1690m SEN GV Regional Pacing Cup Final
6/9 I Of The Hurrikane – Jordan Leedham/Carson Millar
I Of The Hurrikane gets the same trailing draw as her heat win, where she ran good time at just her third run for the new stable. Her main rivals are off the front row, and a potential early speed burn could set her up to finish strongly with fresh legs.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.40
Race 7 – 2690m Neatline Shepparton Gold Cup (G3)
7/3 Leap To Fame – Grant Dixon/Grant Dixon
An outstanding clash looms between two superstars of the sport in Kingman and Leap To Fame. While Kingman defeated Leap To Fame in the NZ Cup over the longer trip, Leap To Fame is well capable of bouncing back here at the elite level and getting on the board for the bonus.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.80
Race 8 – 2190m Hygain FFA
8/3 Calexico – Damian Wilson/Laura Wilson
Calexico appeared disappointing on face value last week, but there were enough factors to forgive that run. His prior form was first-rate, and this shapes similarly to his win two starts back when he was able to lead and control the race.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.50
Race 9 – 2190m Graham Head Memorial 3yo Pace
9/7 Quatro Moth – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Quatro Moth was terrific winning her only two starts last season, including a G3 feature at Menangle. The small field and first up over the middle trip do temper confidence slightly to take the short quote on offer.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.50
Race 10 – 1690m Pace
10/5 Keayang Omar – Taylor Youl/Luke Bryant
Keayang Omar looks very well placed here with Taylor Youl’s claim, dropping back to easier opposition after a close-up third last week at Melton from a wide draw. He can press forward and prove hard to beat.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.40
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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