Losing punters, and let’s be clear, most punters despite the content shared on their Twitter profiles lose, often lament what they call "inside information". 

Generally, this refrain resonates when some horse or greyhound firms heavily in isolation and then goes on to win. 

Occasionally, sure, trainers and owners are elegantly enlightened with intellectual property unknown to the general punting public. 

Often, however, this information is specious. 

And even when it’s gloriously gilt-edged, smart punters pounce when they see the market move. 

Tonight, at Tabcorp Park, two events, precariously lend themselves to cautious investment. 

And not, as many believe, because of inside knowledge. 

More because there’s simply questions which cannot be answered. 

Let’s start with the TAB Sapling Stakes for juvenile males. 

Whenever things get tricky in Victorian age-restricted events, there’s a default setting, and it’s not one lacking reason or merit. 

That default setting is thus, simply back the runner trained by Emma Stewart, and if she has multiple runners, back the one with genuine market support. 

Fortunately, perhaps, that process has been simplified tonight with Stewart preparing just one Sapling Stakes runner in Major Celebrity. 

This issue with this ideology, however, is that almost everyone applies the same default position regardless of its accuracy or otherwise. 

That means Major Celebrity will start short tonight – very short – despite the obvious quality of her juvenile opposition. 

The situation in this evening’s Pryde’s EasiFeed Pace for three-year-old fillies is somewhat different. 

Here, Stewart has four combatants engaged, and all have claims on form. 

Seemingly, based on Mark Pitt’s "decision" to pilot Soho Historia, she’s the one they’ll come for and the likely winner. 

None of this is secret, all of it is open and available for public consumption. 

The pressing question then is not whether average punters are being denied critical information, but whether the wildly overt guidance they’re garnering from subtle, and not so subtle, clues, matters more to them than the form set in the guide. 

Typically speaking, even the most vehement value seekers love watching great horses win. 

Just like last week, Group 1 winner Triple Eight tackles an open class field at Melton tonight well beneath his talent. 

On reflection, that’s a harsh assessment. 

At their best, on the right night and from the right draws over the right trip, three, or perhaps four of his Bold David Free For All adversaries could trouble Triple Eight. 

Tonight, however, such circumstances seem wildly unlikely. 

Somewhat staggeringly, this leads the baser side in us to hope, against our better instincts, that Code Black will post the prohibitively short-priced popular-elect from his perfect draw. 

Even if he does, Triple Eight still likely wins. 

Still, the only thing better than witnessing a great horse prevail is watching him prevail when he’s forced to earn the privilege.

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.