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 FFA
1/2 Catch A Wave – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
He’s so well placed it’s impossible to tip against Catch A Wave, but the way he’s been performing this time in, it’s hard to be confident either. He’s an 8-time G1 winner and you’ve got to trust this elite stable to get it right in a race like this.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.60
Race 2 – 1720m Melton G.W.M NMW Trot
2/3 Just As I Am – Nathan Jack/Russell Jack
Just As I Am gets to this grade relatively quickly in his career, but he’s shown enough talent to measure up against these. His run last time out was very good off the backrow; now he moves to the front and possesses good gate speed to get the right position.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.10
Race 3 – 1720m A.G Coombs Trot (Female Drivers Race)
3/4 Run Forest Run – Tayla French/Alex Ashwood
Run Forest Run makes his Victorian debut here with successful connections and an astute stable, which suggests the horse has decent ability. He won his trial at Bendigo with plenty in hand coming off the speed, and this race looks a perfect one to bet with confidence.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.50
Race 4 – 1720m Breed For Speed Bronze Trot Final
4/5 Sky Lindy – Damian Wilson/Damian Wilson
Sky Lindy is undefeated in three runs for the new stable, and each one has been authoritative and reliable. The fact she was able to sit parked and win easily in her heat, with the field the same, means there’s no reason why she shouldn’t be able to do it again with her main danger Little Miss Morgan behind her.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.20
Race 5 – 1720m Breed For Speed Silver Trot Final (L)
5/5 Keayang Gypsy– Glen Craven/Marg & Paddy Lee
Keayang Gypsy was terrific in the heat, finding the lead from a similar draw, running time and proving too strong. The map looks similar for her again and with the elite trotting stable in her corner she is the testing material.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.40
Race 6 – 2240m Just Believe Grand Prix (G1)
6/7 Jilliby Dreamlover – Glen Craven/Marg & Paddy Lee
Death, taxes and Keayang Zahara – she will win the race but will be unbackable. Her stablemate Jilliby Dreamlover was terrific running 3rd in the Great Southern Star Final. The tactics may be to jazz out and lead, with her stablemate working around her for her to run the exacta behind the champ.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.04
Race 7 – 1720m Breed For Speed Gold Trot (G3)
7/6 Jilliby Ballerini – Glen Craven/Marg & Paddy Lee
Jilliby Ballerini has avoided her elite-level stablemate Keayang Zahara, and it seems when she does, she wins. Expect her to be driven like the best horse in the race and win like it.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.20
Race 8 – 1720m Yabby Dam Farm Trot
8/3 Quirky Character – James Herbertson/Ross Graham
Quirky Character has been excellent this time in, maturing with each run, including a very good win two back at Kilmore. He was a little unlucky last week, and while this is a class rise again, his consistent form is hard to ignore.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.60
Race 9 – 2240m IRT Australia Trot
9/7 Ticktok – Michael Bellman/Rebecca Morrisey
Ticktok may not have brought her A-game this preparation, but you can make a case it’s been in stronger company than she faces here. She was quite good last week coming wide on the track in a sprint home, and a repeat will see her in the finish.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.00
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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