Bronte Nieuwenburg has jumped in this week to help Ryan Phelan, who every Saturday hunts for the most reliable locks to strengthen your multi bets.
By analysing race maps, sectional times, and key trainer/driver combinations 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.
R1 – 6.02pm – Hertz Melton Pace – 1720m
1/8 War Dan Buddy – Ryan Sanderson/Emma Stewart
War Dan Buddy has the best sectional times heading into this event. He was fantastic winning last start at Menangle, and he is a Eureka hopeful. I have him on top, but what stings him here is the tricky barrier, so I am sticking with a place tip.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.50
R2 – 6.28pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Pace – 1720m
2/12 Captain Perfect – Jason Lee/Emma Stewart
Storms Collide is the standout favourite in this event, a NSW Derby heat winner who was fantastic winning first up at this track. But I was looking for a bit more value in this race, and the stablemate Captain Perfect looks like that. He’s coming back from an unbeaten preparation in South Australia, where in one event he won by over 55 metres. Before that, he was a winner at Melton in the Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic. He’s sensationally bred, and we don’t yet know just how good he is. Tricky barrier, but I am excited to see him back.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.85
R3 – 6.58pm – Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace – 2240m
3/9 Its Confidential – Nathan Jack/Russell Jack
Talented juvenile Its Confidential has always looked a very promising type. The favourite in this field is Forty Love, who, although has drawn barrier one, may not be able to hold the front, and he’s probably not the type to suit being stuck on the fence. Its Confidential has drawn barrier nine, behind the fastest gate-speed runner on the front line, Ozzie Punta. He may end up in the best position early out of the favourite runners and looks a great chance here.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.70
R4 – 7.38pm – City Of Melton Pace – 2240m
4/2 Wings On The Line – Ryan Sanderson/Emma Stewart
Wings On The Line impressed me in her first-up run for Emma Stewart last start, where she had to race in the breeze and still finished second, defeating quality runners. Prior to joining the Stewart team, she put up a great record, winning 11 of her 17 career starts. She should improve from last start and looks a good winning play here.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.90
R5 – 8.10pm – Vhrc The Holmfield – 1720m
5/2 Commodus – Chris Alford/Jayne Davies
This is an interesting race, as I don’t believe there is much separating each runner ability-wise. But the market has stuck with Commodus, and so have I, purely based on his barrier and gate speed. If he manages to find the front, it will be hard to beat him here.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.40
R6 – 8.49pm – Dynamic Print Group Bob Conroy 2yo Trotting Classic – 2240m
6/7 Unclad – Chris Alford/Alison Alford
Understandably, all baby trotters are at risk of galloping, so I can’t be overly confident tipping a multi lock here. I am going to stick with Unclad though. He has shown he is full of ability when he gets it right. Barrier 7 will give him time and space to settle early. Kyvalley Ray, our favourite here, will be hard to beat if he trots, but I would like to watch his manners for a few more starts.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $1.40
R7 – 9.24pm – Aldebaran Park Trotters Handicap – 2240m
7/5 Harold Smith – Ryan Sanderson/Emma Stewart
It’s hard to find value in this trot handicap with three standout runners, Im Bobby, Harold Smith, and Aldebaran Zeus, in a race with no third dividend. However, I have to choose one, and it’s Harold Smith. He is a striking-looking animal, and his stand start record and manners are fantastic. With his great manners, if he can get a head start on the other runners off 30 metres, he will be hard to beat.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.6
R8 – 9.55pm – Nevele R Stud Pace – 1720m
8/2 Major Crunch – Michael Bellman/Geoff Webster
This is probably the most even event on the card, so I am going to look away from the short-priced favourite, Ruff Nut. Major Crunch was a winner at this track from the same barrier last start, and he looks a good place chance here.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.30
R9 – 10.22pm – APG Trot – 2240m
9/4 Designs – James Herbertson/Toby Ainsworth
It’s hard to look past Designs here. She has had three starts with James Herbertson, resulting in a win and two second placings. Herbie is back on tonight. She also has the best recent sectional times in this field.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $3.20
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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