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 Nevele R Stud Pace
1/11 Fighter Command – Greg Sugars/Jess Tubbs
Fighter Command steps out for his third run back on the comeback trail after a life-threatening illness when he was cruelly ruled out of last year’s $2.1M TAB Eureka - just days before the race - after suffering a twisted intestine. The talented four-year-old has an impressive strike rate, winning 9 of his 14 starts, and has been freshened since a solid fourth at Menangle on March 1. While he’ll need to overcome a back row draw, his class and determination will take him a long way.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.30
Race 2 – 2240m CNC Router Bits Free For All
2/8 Better Eclipse – Kerryn Manning/Jess Tubbs
Better Eclipse is clearly the class runner in this field, and while the draw might look tricky on paper, I think it could work in his favour. With good early speed and pressure expected from the front line, the race shape should suit him if he gets the right breaks. Driver Kerryn Manning is flying, and it’s worth noting Better Eclipse has won 4 of his last 5 first-up runs off spells longer than two months against stronger opposition than this.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.50
Race 3 – 1720m APG Trot
3/8 Illawong Larajay – Greg Sugars/Jess Tubbs
Illawong Larajay finds herself somewhat at the mercy of the early tempo, with noted front-runners Aldebaran Miley, El Resamo, and Perfidious Sue all likely to look for the lead. That said, a genuine speed up front should play right into her hands. She’s well graded here dropping in class and looks primed to run on strongly, especially off the back of an eye-catching second in tougher company last start - a run that signalled a return to form.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $2.00
Race 4 – 1720m Waste Sense Pace
4/8 Keayang Taco – Jason Lee/Marg & Paddy Lee
Keayang Taco has built a reputation as a reliable front-runner at the provincials but impressed last week when finishing strongly off a sit. The map looks favourable here with Golden Tribe likely to lead, giving Keayang Taco the chance to use the sprint lane to advantage over the short trip which suits.
Confidence: Low Rated Place Price: $1.75
Race 5 – 2240m Garrards Horse & Hound Pace
5/13 Meteor Moth – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Meteor Moth was superb first-up, working hard from a tough draw and only narrowly missing in fast time. He showed real class as a 3YO and looks a horse going places. While the draw makes things tricky again, the stable boasts an excellent strike rate in similar setups.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.50
Race 6 – 1720m IRT Pace
2/2 Poppy Wah Wah – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Poppy Wah Wah has had three runs under new trainer Emma Stewart and has impressed each time on the provincial circuit. This is a step up in grade, but the race lacks depth. The main threat appears to be Chasing Rex, but Poppy should lead over the short trip. However, with slight class concerns, he looks more a safe place play.
Confidence: High Rated Place Price: $1.20
Race 7 – 1720m Benstud Standardbreds Mares Pace
7/8 Let Her Roll – James Herbertson/Emma Stewart
Let Her Roll made a compelling case as the best 2YO filly of the season with strong performances and $133k in earnings despite not landing a Group 1. She resumes here as a 3YO from a tricky draw, which is usually a red flag, but her class may simply be too much for this field.
Confidence: Medium Rated Win Price: $1.40
Race 8 – 2240m Logical Staffing Solutions 3yo Trot
8/9 Enchauffour – Greg Sugars/Jess Tubbs
Enchauffour resumes after claiming the Breeders Crown Final in November and has trialled well in preparation. Clearly the class runner, the trailing draw gives options, and he looks a level above this field unlikely to need much luck to be winning.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.40
Race 9 – 2240m Swift Signs Trot
9/3 Susan Is Her Name – Mark Pitt/Emma Stewart
Susan Is Her Name, when fully fit, is one of the most exciting trotters in the country. Her first-up win after a seven-month layoff was outstanding, and she’s only going to improve off that. She looks perfectly placed here and should be very hard to beat.
Confidence: High Rated Win Price: $1.10
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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