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 – 2240m Hyland Racing Colours Pace
1/1 Royal Appointment – Jack Laugher/Michael Laugher
In 2026 there have been nine running’s of these conditions – 0MW up to $15k – under the random barrier draw format. Six winners have led, while the other three sat behind the leader. Only two winners have come from outside barrier four. Based on that pattern, Royal Appointment appears to have the best tactical options and looks the right way to go.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.80
Race 2 – 2240m Benstud Standardbreds Pace
2/8 Highlandhartbreaka – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
The same conditions apply as Race 1, so again map advantage looks crucial. Keayang Payton appears likely to lead from the pole, with Highlandhartbreaka potentially landing on its back. Both are racing well enough to win and are suited in this line-up, but Keayang Payton may cop pressure for Highlandhartbreaka to pounce.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.50
Race 3 – 2240m Prydes Easifeed Pace
3/7 Odin – James Herbertson/Ashley and Beau Tindale
Odin returns to the front row and drops sharply in class for this assignment. Despite drawing the outside gate, he possesses blistering gate speed and should be able to press forward and find the lead, where he performs best. The slight concern is his record at the trip, with nine placings from 18 attempts.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.80
Race 4 – 2240m Swift Signs Vicbred Voucher Pace
4/9 Keayang Renegade – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
Keayang Rengade is a star on the rise and keeps making the step up in class with consummate ease. The trailing draw works to his advantage with him likely to park up alongside the leader and main danger, Some American. He’s destined for good things and looks the best multi anchor of the night again.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.30
Race 5 – 1720m Aldebaran Park Vicbred Voucher Trot
5/10 Kyvalley Judge – Chris Svanosio/Chris Svanosio
There are several high-quality progressive types engaged here, including likely favourite and last-start NSW Derby winner Pastor Dunbar. This looks a tricky set-up for him from the draw with plenty of speed inside, potentially forcing him to work against older and more experienced opposition. That could allow Kyvalley Judge to work into the race over the final lap, and his recent sectionals have been strong.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 6 – 2240m Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trot
6/7 Muskee – Ewa Justice/John Justice
Muskee has been terrific when at his best this preparation, winning twice with authority. He’s had to earn those victories, and that may again be the case here, with his racing pattern uncertain from the wide draw. He’s going well, but this shapes as the trickiest race of the night, with genuine cases to be made for runners 4, 5, 6 and 9 as well.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $2.40
Race 7 – 1720m Hertz Melton FFA
7/1 My Ultimate Barney – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
My Ultimate Barney rarely finds favourable barrier draws, but when he maps well, he’s very hard to beat. The last twelve times he has led, he’s won nine of them, including the Geelong Rocket two starts ago in strong time over this distance. This looks a suitable race to stamp his class against quality opposition.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.75
Race 8 – 2240m Breeders Crown 3yo Noms Now Open
8/2 Most Exciting – Mark Pitt/Ema Stewart
Most Exciting will undoubtedly start favourite here, but he may need to offer a worthwhile price to generate confidence. He’s a three-year-old taking on older horses and resumes off a month between runs following a first-up win. He’ll likely lead and get every chance. If the market is too short, Our Ultimate Gracy looks capable of trailing him throughout, while Where Is Woody could be the horse charging home late from three pegs as place options.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.60
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