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 – 1720m Hertz Melton Pace
1/9 Zanda Man – Jackie Barker/Jim Baker
With the keys scratching’s in this race, the progressive Zanda Man comes into this race much better. He can assess the front row burn and decide the right time to decide to work into the race. This appears more suitable to the class he’s faced recently.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.60
Race 2 – 2240m Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trot
2/8 Muskee – Ewa Justice/John Justice
Muskee exploded back onto the scene as a 4yo with a strong win first up where he drew the back row, sat parked and roared away from the opposition. This is a step up in class, but he acquitted himself against some of the best 3yos last season to suggest he’s benefited from a break and matured to go to another level.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.70
Race 3 – 2240m Forty Winks Melton Trot
3/3 Hilltop Hugh – Chris Alford/Chris Lang & Sonia Mahar
Hilltop Hugh is a lightly raced but classy 5yo, already a Group 1 winner of the Vicbred last season. His trials and resuming 3rd leave more question marks than answers as to whether he’s at his very best, but his gate speed to race up on pace, added fitness and class make him more than likeable.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.60
Race 4 – 1720m Vicbred Voucher Pace
4/8 Keayang Renegade – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
Despite being awkwardly drawn, the upwardly mobile Keayang Renegade is expected to be too good for these. Hopefully his set-up may offer a slight premium, as he will have to get off at the start and loop them over the short trip. He looks a horse destined for open class and should be too good.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.15
Race 5 – 1720m Scotch Notch Memorial Trot
5/4 Remus Phoenix – Taylor Youl/Chris Svanosio
A high-quality sprint race for the trotters where the speed and map create plenty of questions. Remus Phoenix is tactically versatile and has delivered consistent performances over a long period of time. If he gets the right run, he will be strong late.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.50
Race 6 – 1200m Melton City Much More Stampede
6/6 Meteor Moth – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Meteor Moth has been very good his past four starts and is at his best when he’s able to show his early speed and run along. These 1200m hot laps suit him and he was unlucky not to win The Mercury80 earlier in the year when sitting parked outside the smart Himanameisjeff.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.90
Race 7 – 2240m City Of Melton Plate (Listed Classic)
7/5 Fighter Command – Jason Lee/Jess Tubbs
Fighter Command is now fitter for three runs back from a spell, and although he finds a strong race, he’s suited to the distance. The map means he will have to rely on tempo and likely come with one run, but his sectionals have been good enough to come over the top.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $2.80
Race 8 – 1720m Happy 30th Birthday Jordie Pace
8/1 Jaccka Connor – Jack Laugher/Julie Douglas
The scratching of El Boston changes the map of this race, with Jaccka Connor potentially facing less resistance to race in a good position. He can show speed and likely take the right cover to be strong late. He drops in class sharply here.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.50
Race 9 – 1720m Mimosa Homes Pace
9/1 Triple Rock Saint – Jack Laugher/Julie Douglas
It’s so hard to pick the map here, with 1–4 all possessing speed, with uncertainty around what any of the four will do tactically if they find the top. Triple Rock Saint drops in class, gets the options and has a nice record at this track.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $1.80
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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