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 Encompassing Mares Pace
1/8 Tallaras Shadow – Jason Ainsworth/Jason Ainsworth
The back-row runners hold the key here, but there’s little value in Jilliby Illuminate or Look Like Diamonds. I don’t rate Tallaras Shadow far behind them, so she appeals as value despite needing luck from the draw.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.50
Race 2 – 2240m National Guardian Solutions Pace
2/1 Diamond Eclipse – James Herbertson/John Newberry
Diamond Eclipse maps well from the pole and with James Herbertson aboard, he can either lead or take cover to give himself the best shot. His recent form reads better than it looks on paper and he’s a genuine chance to notch another Melton win.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.40
Race 3 – 2240m Happy Birthday Jess Cohen & Donna Pace
3/8 Grayson Red – Amy Day/Amy Day
Grayson Red is flying this prep and looks perfectly placed to secure his fourth win of the season. He’s been tackling stronger opposition from tough draws and now looks set to follow the speed and use his brilliant closing burst.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.40
Race 4 – 2240m Haras Des Trotteurs Trot
4/11 Aldebaran Vera – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
It looks a race between Gotfeelingsyouknow and Aldebaran Vera, but I have them closer in my market than the odds available suggest. If Aldebaran Vera trots cleanly, she’s more than capable of rounding them up late with her class.
Confidence: Medium Rated Place Price: $1.50
Race 5 – 2240m Hygain Victory Free For All
5/9 Yambukian – Kate Gath/Andy Gath
Yambukian has been superb this campaign, stringing together four straight wins with toughness and tactical versatility. This looks like a tailor-made assignment — even if he doesn’t show his usual gate speed, I expect him to make a mid-race move and take control.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.65
Race 6 – 2240m Renown Silverware Pace
5/10 Sweet Ideal – Darryl Lawlor/Gary Lawlor
Sweet Ideal is one of the more exciting prospects progressing through the Melton ranks. She’s been unleashing powerful late bursts and recording strong sectionals. While this is another tough test, she’ll be flying home again — I’d want $2+ to entertain backing her in this company.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $2.10
Race 7 – 1720m Aldebaran Park Trot
6/4 Kyvalley Maven – Chris Svanosio/Chris Svanosio
A competitive sprint trip trot where Alrighty, Kyvalley Maven and Lady Vici are tough to split. I’ve landed on Kyvalley Maven, who maps to get the right run with cover and be strong late in a race where positioning is everything.
Confidence: Low Rated Win Price: $3.20
Race 8 – 1720m Waste Sense Pace
8/4 Magic Mike – Michael Bellman/Joanne Justice
Tricky race to close the card with many out-of-form runners. Magic Mike has been racing well without much luck, often up in grade. He hasn’t won for a while but gets a more suitable setup here and could go close. Note: No third dividend.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.50
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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