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 Pace
1/9 Keayang Viper – Glen Craven/Marg & Paddy Lee
Keayang Viper has progressed to this level quickly as a lightly raced 4yo and has looked stylish in her eight career starts, which have yielded six wins, including a good-quality victory at Menangle in NSW last week. This stable has a very good strike rate with these progressive types, particularly those they’ve been patient with. While most of her wins have come from racing at the top end of the map, she has the speed and ability to overcome a less favourable position.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.40
Race 2 – 2240m – Vicbred Voucher Pace
2/4 Jilliby Sniper – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
Jilliby Sniper looks a nice 3yo who, like his stablemate in Race 1, has reached this level very quickly, with five wins from nine starts. He had a crack at qualifying for the Derby, and even though he dropped back to a more suitable grade last time, the quality of the opposition was strong. He has the barrier draw advantage over his main rival, Thunderfire, which may be the decisive factor.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.00
Race 3 – 1720m – Aldebaran Park Trot
3/5 Quirky Character – James Herbertson/Ross Graham
Quirky Character may fly under the radar here considering his numerical form, but he’s been going okay from bad draws, running good times from unwinnable positions. He’ll have a few in front of him again here, but there could be a bit of early speed to help him, and the smaller field to round them up is also in his favour. He should be a nice value play.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $2.20
Race 4 – 1720m – IRT Trot
4/4 Timmy Turtle – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
Timmy Turtle looks very well placed against this line-up, considering his form last season against some quality types. He now has the benefit of one run back from a long break, where he ran well without being knocked around. He goes to the front row now to utilise his gate speed over the short trip, and if he’s come on from last start, he looks very hard to beat and one of the best of the night.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $2.70
Race 5 – 1720m – Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trot
5/6 Coltrane – James Herbertson/Jess Tubbs
Coltrane made a nice return last start at Geelong, where he drifted back and copped a check from an unruly runner. He took a bit of time to get balanced thereafter, but when he did, he hit the line very well. There doesn’t look to be much pressure in the race, which is a slight concern for a horse who likes to come with one run, but he looks to have more upside than most of the opposition here.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.90
Race 6 – 1720m – Dynamic Print Group Trot
6/2 Rocky Valley – John Caldow/Maree Caldow
Rocky Valley could be open to sharp improvement here, getting a good draw to show his versatility against opposition that seems more favourable than what he’s been facing. He did lead and fade over the longer trip three back, but maybe he spent too many tickets early, whereas this draw seems a lot more favourable to have a look for the top or find good cover. He can give a sight at decent value.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $6.50
Race 7 – 1720m – Forty Winks Melton Trot
7/5 Kennys Son – James Herbertson/Brent Lilley
Kennys Son is a quick beginner under mobile conditions and gets the opportunity to race forward here and be given every hope over the short trip. He was able to lead and win in good time at Shepparton two runs back with Herbertson aboard and has a decent record at this track, suggesting that if he gets the right trip, he’s the one to catch.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.20
Race 8 – 2240m – Benstud Standardbreds Pace
8/7 Isolation – James Herbertson/Patrick Tompkinson
Isolation drops back significantly in grade after a good 3rd here last week, where he didn’t have the best luck in transit early and still found the line well. He’s reunited with Herbertson here, who tends to get the best out of him, evidenced by driving four of his five wins this season. The extra distance helps him take up a forward position at some stage and show his strength.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $2.40
Race 9 – 1720m – Logical Staffing Solutions Trot
9/5 Rubys Dream – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
Rubys Dream is a very quick beginner, evidenced by her two recent wins here from gates five and seven, where she was able to lead over the short trip and run very good time for this grade. This race doesn’t present as any harder than last time, so if she can cross and lead, a repeat of that performance can be enough to get the job done.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.80
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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