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 Aldebaran Park Free For All Trot
1/7 Lovemeto – Kerryn Manning/Chris Svanosio
Another high-quality trotting affair opens the program, this time over the sprint trip. The race sets up similarly to the event back in May when Keayang Stuka led, Lovemeto sat parked as the odds-on favourite and was divebombed late by stablemate Remus Phoenix. Lovemeto is flying and looks worth sticking with.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $3.00
Race 2 – 2240m Hygain Edge Trot
2/3 Artigas – Aaron Dunn/Aaron Dunn
Artigas showed ability during his two-year-old campaign and appears to have put everything together in his past couple of runs. He draws to map well, and this race doesn’t look overly strong compared to what he’s been meeting. He has form around Kamaran, who looks the likely leader, and there wouldn’t be much between them in the market.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.90
Race 3 – 1720m APG Trot
3/8 Quirky Character – James Herbertson/Ross Graham
Quirky Character drops significantly in grade after three runs in Free For All company where, admittedly, he was simply run off his legs. The last time he raced in this class he produced one of the best performances of his career, storming home from last over a longer trip. He’ll need luck but may represent value.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.50
Race 4 – 2240m Lamaros Hotel Pace
4/9 Clymenus – Tasmyn Potter/Julie Douglas
Clymenus drops in grade and looks well suited thanks to the claim of Tasmyn Potter. Although he’s finding it difficult to win, his recent sectionals have been encouraging and the trailing draw over this distance works in his favour if the tempo is right. A low-confidence race overall.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.20
Race 5 – 1720m IRT Trot
5/6 Just As I Am – Nathan Jack/Russell Jack
Just As I Am is a speedy beginner, but he’ll need to be with several others also looking to find the front over the sprint trip. He was excellent last time when second behind a smart winner. The map is crucial here and your fate may be known early if he doesn’t secure the right position. If he does, he’ll run a big race in what appears an open contest.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.70
Race 6 – 1720m Logical Staffing Solutions Pace
6/9 Its Confidential – Nathan Jack/Russell Jack
Its Confidential has consistently been one of the best horses of his generation and his four-year-old campaign has started strongly. He won first-up at Menangle before having no luck in strong Free For All company here last week. With pressure likely up front, the race should set up nicely for him late.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.80
Race 7 – 2240m Forty Winks Melton Pace
7/7 Zenario – James Herbertson/Shaun & Jason McNaulty
I Am The Storm coming out has changed this race dramatically. It means little mid-race pressure, with the likely map Ozzie Corka crossing and potentially handing over to Zenario. They loo the obvious quinella should that pattern eventuate, but it’s likely there won’t be much value.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.60
Race 8 – 1720m The Ratpack Pace
8/5 Cigano – Ryan Sanderson/Emma Stewart
Cigano hasn’t been seen at the races since finishing fourth in a Derby heat as a short-priced favourite, having established himself as one of the better two and three-year-olds of recent seasons. He has had one trial against stablemates where he found the line strongly. He’ll likely roll forward and sit parked, but his best form is very good despite taking on older horses for the first time.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.40
Race 9 – 2240m Renown Silverware Pace
9/3 Apollostorm – Ryan Sanderson/Emma Stewart
Apollostorm is another from the powerful Emma Stewart stable resuming from a lengthy break. He has had one trial and showed enough there to suggest he’s going well. He was a little inconsistent last campaign, which tempers confidence slightly, but he maps beautifully and deserves favouritism. His best form is well above this grade.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.40
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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