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 – Renown Silverware NMW Pace
1/6 Hitch To His Star – Liam Older/Craig Turnbull
Hitch To His Star has built a nice record over his short career to date, missing a place just nine times and notching seven wins from 23 starts. He’s often raced in the top grade for his age, and in many respects, this appears to be his most suitable assignment since he won here last month, again with Liam Older aboard. He represents better value than his main rival, Vivid Dream.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $3.00
Race 2 – 2240m – Mimosa Homes Victoria Trotters Oaks (G1)
2/1 Aldebaran Ada – Taylor Youl/Chris Svanosio
Aldebaran Ada has been at the top of her age group this season, beating some of these in the Nutrien at Wagga for G1 prizemoney, and has been thereabouts without much luck in other big races. She was able to lead up four runs back from the pole, so tactics again will be crucial with some speed to her outside. Taylor Youl is a young driver deserving of a G1 and can show her best here to get it done.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $3.50
Race 3 – 1720m – Hertz Melton Ladyship Cup (G3)
3/4 Let Her Roll – James Herbertson/Emma Stewart
Looks so well placed here compared to the obstacles she’s faced in three runs back from bad draws and with little luck in big races. She now draws the front row to find the lead over the short trip, and she’s a mare who can run time. Granted, The Art Of Success is flying, but she’ll have to be enormous from the draw, and Sweet Ideal may get the leader’s back. But Let Her Roll is classy, and she looks a great price.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $3.80
Race 4 – 2760m – Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby (G1)
4/4 Palladium – Brad Hewitt/Brad Hewitt
Palladium really came of age during the Brisbane carnival, where he turned in three excellent runs, culminating in the G1 Qld Derby, where he did it tough and was too good for a strong field of similar quality from a comparable draw. He looked amazing last week in his heat, and although the map sees speed all around him, he’s already proven his versatility. He’s quality, but so are the others, so it’s a great race, and his odds are short enough.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.70
Race 5 – 1720m – Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint (G1)
5/9 Rockinwithattitude – David Miles/David Miles
Rockinwithattitude has drifted from favouritism since she drew the back row, but her terrific gate speed can still be useful to punch through behind a very quick beginner and map close to them. She’s a six-time G1 winner, so we know she’s classy, loves the track and distance and is progressing towards big races in NZ. Mares have an excellent record in this race, and she represents great value for a classy conveyance.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $6.00
Race 6 – 2240m – SEN Victoria Cup (G1)
6/5 Nyack – James Rattray/James Rattray
I can’t see a scenario where Captains Mistress doesn’t find the front and win this race, but I have an unconventional view on how she achieves that. Nyack is the quickest beginner off the arm in the fast class, and he can cross down to the pegs and wave her onto the lead. That presents a way to make money in the race, with Captains Mistress nearly unbackable and Nyack an excellent chance to fill the exacta.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.60
Race 7 – 2760m – Prydes Easifeed Victoria Oaks Final (G1)
7/6 Ripples – Luke McCarthy/Luke McCarthy
Like the previous race, Bettor Beach looks every bit the winner but is at unbackable odds. However, the potential map is where we can find value. Bettor Beach is not a quick beginner, and that presents Ripples with the opportunity to burn across as she did in her heat last week, find the pegs first and look to hand over. She stuck to her guns well last week and is no stranger to this level, already a two-time G1 winner and multiple placegetter at black-type level.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 8 – 2240m – Logical Staffing Solutions FFA
8/6 Cigano – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
With the scratching of Our Sunset Delight who starts in the Victoria Cup, Cigano now has this race at his mercy, if he wasn’t a serious winning chance beforehand. Whilst he’s normally a horse who drifts back and comes with a devastating sprint, the map may be more friendly for him to map a little more positively. He looks the winner at a good things price.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.30
Race 9 – 2240m – City Of Melton Pace
9/8 Schwarz – James Herbertson/Emma Stewart
Schwarz seems like a progressive type who’s achieved a high rating quite quickly in one preparation this season. This stable has a very high strike rate with this type of horse, which can win its way through the lower grades and then be bulletproof by the time it gets to metro level. His only failure this time in was in a very strong heat of the Vicbred. He’s no moral but ticks a lot of boxes.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.00
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