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 Logical Staffing Solutions NMW Pace (1st Heat)
1/6 Dance Affair – Jordan Leedham/Philip Chircop
Dance Affair is a very quick beginner and looks suited here to lead from this favourable draw against what appears to be slightly inferior opposition to what he’s been facing, now under the preferential draw. Whilst he’s better suited over the short trip, he has the option to find the right cover, but if he does hold, there doesn’t look to be a lot of pressure for him to dictate.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.40
Race 2 – 2240m TOC’s Takeaways Podcast – Now On Spotify Trot
2/4 Spirited Lass – James Herbertson/Scott Ewen
Spirited Lass is far from a reliable conveyance, often being her own worst enemy with poor manners. She has, however, shown encouraging signs this campaign, with her improved tractability evidenced by back-to-back wins with Herbertson aboard. She rises in grade, but it’s not too big a task considering the opposition form lines.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 3 – 2240m Mimosa Homes NMW Trot
3/8 Keayang Gypsy – Glen Craven/Marg & Paddy Lee
Keayang Gypsy resumed off a good trial here last time with a solid win when able to lead all the way, and the form out of that race has been good, with the runner-up winning since. On ratings she looks well placed and, despite the back-row draw, the extra distance gives her options to work into the race at the right time. With extra fitness she can only improve.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.80
Race 4 – 1720m Prydes Easifeeds Pace
4/5 Words – Chris Alford/Brent Lilley
Fairplay, without question, deserves to be favourite here on the back of three solid wins this preparation, whether leading or coming off the speed. However, I feel the value in the race may be former Kiwi mare Words. She couldn’t have been more impressive first-up in Australia when able to lead all the way from a similar draw. I think she may be able to cross the favourite and give plenty of cheek over the short trip.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 5 – 2240m Benstud Standardbreds Youthful Stakes (2yo Colts & Geldings)
5/5 Some High – Kerryn Manning/Emma Stewart
Four of the eight runners here faced off in the Durham Park Protostar qualifier back in June, which is the best form reference for this. Of those, Some High, who finished third in that event, was clearly the best of them despite stablemate Baystyle beating him home from a softer run. He was good on resuming, leading all the way, even though he was knocking up on the line. He looks to have the map advantage on his main rivals to lead all the way.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.00
Race 6 – 2240m Benstud Standardbreds Youthful Stakes (2yo Fillies)
6/7 La Cantatrice – Ewa Justice/Geoff Webster
There’s been a lot to like about the progression of La Cantatrice, often racing against some of the better ones in her age group and performing well. She matured nicely out of her freshen-up for a good win over a handy field last time out. She can float forward with the distance and class in her favour and be driven like the best horse.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.80
Race 7 – 2240m Garrards Horse & Hound Pace
7/7 Apollostorm – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Apollostorm ended his unbeaten streak this preparation last time out, but he had too much to do from the back row when caught wide over the last lap in a solid last half. The step up in distance suits and allows him to show aggression in the small field despite the wide draw. He has the fitness edge on main rival Le Cardinal and beat that horse back in June.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.50
Race 8 – 2240m Waste Sense NMW Pace (2nd Heat)
8/6 The Last Trip – Taylor Ford/Emma Stewart
The Last Trip has been nothing short of exceptional since joining the Emma Stewart camp. Whilst the opposition hasn’t been strong, you must trust the clock, and he’s looked brilliant to the eye, winning by more than 74 metres over those two starts. He should win but will be little value and looks a safe multi anchor.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.10
Race 9 – 1720m Swift Signs 2yo Trot
9/6 Regal Gala – James Herbertson/Chris Angove
Any form around the undefeated Verbici is good form, and Regal Gala ran second to that horse in a feature at Wagga three back and finished second to another smart one in Phoenix Red last time. No favours with the draw over the short trip but has good gate speed. There are a few question marks about a couple of opposition runners, but he’s the reliable option in a 2yo trotting affair.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $2.50
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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