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 Aldebaran Park Trot
1/7 Hoppy – Matthew Craven/Matthew Craven
Hoppy is a talented trotter with plenty of speed and ability, as proven by his effort first-up, running past G1 winners into third, and then backing it up with a powerful win here last week. While the draw may be tough for him, it could help his starting price because he can unleash his powerful finishing burst and still be too good.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.20
Race 2 – 1720m Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trot
2/1 Ijustcalledtosay – Mark Pitt/Kylie Sugars
Ijustcalledtosay bounced back to his very best last week, winning with plenty of authority and looking good on the clock. This doesn’t look any harder, and he goes from the worst draw to the best, allowing him to use his good early gate speed and look to go all the way.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.40
Race 3 – 2240m APG Trot
3/11 Iron Women – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
Iron Women has been very good at her past few starts, and even though she had her chance last week, it was against a better field and she still ran well. There looks to be a very strong speed burn early here, which should suit her getting a trail into the final lap before finishing strongly late.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.40
Race 4 – 1720m Hygain Edge Pace
4/3 Le Cardinal – Amy Day/Matthew Craven
A good-quality race here with several horses in good form, but the performances of Le Cardinal this preparation have been impossible to ignore. After two comfortable wins, he had no luck three starts back and has been brave in good time at his past couple. He gets the right draw now to give himself his best chance at this level.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.00
Race 5 – 2240m Forty Winks Melton Pace
5/7 Cigano – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
With more time under his belt, Cigano wouldn’t be out of place in the top-quality race in Brisbane tonight, but instead he’s here second-up against what is still a strong field. He was stunning first-up, coming with one run and proving simply too fast for them. He’ll give them a start again, but the tempo should be strong enough for him to come over the top.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.20
Race 6 – 1720m IRT Vicbred Voucher Pace
6/2 Apollostorm – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Apollostorm always displayed ability as a 2 and 3yo, but in his two runs back as a 4yo he looks the finished product. He begins well off the arm and has a very high cruising speed that his opposition in this ratings range can’t match. He can continue on his winning way and go on to better things.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.10
Race 7 – 1720m Breeders Crown 3yo Noms Now Open Pace
7/3 Mighty Jolt – Jordan Leedham/Dean Braun
Mighty Jolt has been very good in his three runs for the new stable, leading and running a cracking race first-up before being freshened and then enduring two luckless runs from back-row draws where he still made ground in good time. He can be stamped urgent from this draw, look for the top, and take catching over the short trip.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.50
Race 8 – 2240m Swift Signs Pace
8/7 Miss Ari – Chris Alford/Gary & Debbie Quinlan
Miss Ari is a lightly raced 4yo mare who continues to raise the bar with every start. Her two runs this preparation have been excellent, including last time when she was driven forward against the pattern and beat a smart one in very good time. Even though she may be map negative, this field presents as an easier challenge.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.70
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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