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 – 1720m – Dynamic Print Group NMW Pace
1/3 Rudy Gee – Michael Stanley/Michael Stanley
Rudy Gee is the starting point here, being a very quick beginner who looks the likely leader and should be able to hold on over the short trip. He’s won four of his last five in NSW, running good times, albeit against easier opposition than he faces here. His map advantage over some key rivals is a major factor in leaning his way, despite not boasting the strongest record at this track.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $2.80
Race 2 – 2240m – Vicbred Voucher Pace
2/2 Colossal Hope – James Herbertson/Shannon Edwards
Colossal Hope has been racing well without winning this preparation and now gets a good set-up to get back on top of the podium. He’s a very quick beginner, as evidenced when he was able to cross from the outside last time out against several of the rivals he meets here. James Herbertson is an important driver booking to get the best out of him, particularly with an ideal draw and map.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $4.00
Race 3 – 1720m – Renown Silverware Pace
3/9 New Shuffle – Ewa Justice/Philip Chircop
A very speedy front line here, with virtually the entire front row normally liking to lead or race on the speed. That may suit New Shuffle, who is a sit-and-sprint type who excels when coming with one run off a fast tempo. He’s well in with the concession claim and comes off a brief freshen-up following an excellent 4th in the Geelong Cup, where he found the line strongly. His overall record is very strong for a race of this nature.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $2.80
Race 4 – 2240m – IRT The Graduate Trot
4/9 Enjoy Life – James Herbertson/Emma Stewart
Enjoy Life is a high-quality 3yo who comes through the A-grade form lines, including the Derby last start, where he travelled keenly behind the leader, who fell back into his lap, costing him all momentum before finishing not far away in 6th. His form prior was first-rate, albeit from better draws where he was able to dictate. He won’t have that luxury now but can deliver a high-speed finish to overcome them.
Confidence: High | Rated Win Price: $2.00
Race 5 – 2240m – Hygain Edge FFA
5/8 Bulletproof Boy – James Herbertson/Scott Ewen
Bulletproof Boy comes out of the Victoria Cup, where he had every chance and was fair in finishing 5th. Prior to that, he was terrific in winning the Smoken Up Sprint, but that was over his preferred distance. Even if he’s not at his elite best this preparation, he still brings the A-grade form to be the testing material at this level of FFA.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $2.20
Race 6 – 2240m – Logical Staffing Solutions Tatlow Stakes
6/9 Catch The Captain – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
The scratching of Twigstar has really changed the complexion of this race, as she would have led with the opposition happy to sit off her speed. Now it creates a bit of uncertainty with the map, and the major rival Catch The Captain may be forced to put himself in the race from the back row. He was good on debut, so whilst the set-up looks a little different for him this time, he’s worth sticking with.
Confidence: Low | Rated Win Price: $2.20
Race 7 – 1720m – Mimosa Homes Pace
7/9 Sea Fury – Liam Older/Samantha Gangell
Sea Fury was flying earlier in the year, but his last few runs haven’t been up to that standard, at least numerically, as you could make a few small excuses. This is the most winnable race he’s been in for a while, and his tick-over trial was good enough to suggest he’s on track. He can bounce back against these.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $2.90
Race 8 – 2240m – Australian Pacing Gold Pace
8/6 Lowrider – James Herbertson/Emma Stewart
Lowrider is the testing material here from the leading stable, coming out of stronger 3yo races, albeit safely held in those. He failed when taking on the older horses five runs back, but that seemed harder than what he faces here. He’s likely to start very short odds based on a few key indicators, but to the eye, he’s not the most reliable type, so tread warily.
Confidence: Medium | Rated Win Price: $1.50
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