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 – Garrards Horse & Hound NMW Pace
1/8 Thunderfire – Liam Older/Rebecca Bartley
Thunderfire was disappointing last time when well supported, and despite doing it tough, it was hard to offer an excuse. Prior to that, he was ultra-consistent and on a trajectory towards becoming a major player at this track and progressing to faster-class races. I’m prepared to forgive him and give him another chance.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $3.80
Race 2 – 1720m – Mimosa Homes FFA
2/8 New Shuffle – Ewa Justice/Phillip Chircop
This looks to be a high-speed race on paper, with several smart types off the front line over the short trip. I was with New Shuffle last week in an easier race, but he ran so well that it’s hard not to give him another chance. He runs his best races sitting off a fast tempo and coming with one run, so if they overcook things up front, look for him late.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 3 – 1720m – Aldebaran Park Trot
3/4 Bennie And The Jets – Leigh Sutton/Adam Rudd
I’m willing to take Bennie And The Jets on trust here because, at his best, he would be very hard to beat with this set-up. Earlier this year, he was simply flying and heading towards racing in the better grades, but his two starts back from a break have been underwhelming, albeit perhaps with not everything going right.
Confidence: Low | Rated Place Price: $2.50
Race 4 – 2240m – Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace
4/1 Where Is Woody – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
Where Is Woody is having his second start for new trainer Andy Gath, and he was good last week from a wide draw when he had plenty to do from back in the field. He gets a soft draw to follow the peg line, and if he can potentially map behind the leader, he can run a race despite being up in grade.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $3.70
Race 5 – 2240m – Logical Staffing Solutions Trot
5/8 Kyvalley Judge – Chris Svanosio/Chris Svanosio
Kyvalley Judge is first up from a break with a few good trials under his belt and showed plenty of potential last preparation against some smart types. He will need the run and has a tricky draw to overcome, but in a low-confidence race, he has more upside than most.
Confidence: Low | Rated Place Price: $4.50
Race 6 – 1720m – Hyland Racing Colours Pace
6/4 Mighty Jolt – Liam Older/Samantha Gangell
A tricky little race with the small field over the short trip, so with what appears to be a lack of pressure, position will play a major role. Mighty Jolt is clearly the quickest off the arm and should be able to find the top and tap the brakes in the middle stages. They will be coming at him late, but with some cheap sectionals, he can get the job done.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $4.50
Race 7 – 1720m – Nevele R Stud Pace
7/9 Lowrider – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Lowrider got it wrong at the start here last week and gave them a very big start before catching the field at the bell. He was only beaten by 12 metres, despite giving away many times that margin early. Prior to that, he was racing against top company, and this field presents similarly to last week, so he deserves to be favourite again and given another chance.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $1.50
Race 8 – 1720m – Dynamic Print Group Pace
8/5 Bettor Beach – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
The name of the game is finding multi locks, and even though she’s taking on more experienced types, Bettor Beach looks the go-to here, coming out of the A-grade form against the best of her age group. She’s bound for the rich Eureka in Sydney, so she should be winning this, and although this presents as a different test, her gate speed and ability to run time mean she’s the one to beat.
Confidence: High | Rated Win Price: $1.10
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