The most favoured horses on Sulky.App are calculated by utilising statistics, including horse-specific sectional data as well as race and driver statistics with a variety of likely speed maps.

The following eight horses are the most favoured horses on Sulky.App in each race Saturday night at Melton.

These horses may not be the best rated sectionally, but the speed map likely works in their favour and against the better rated horses.

RACE 1: HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (one)

Hephaestus Phoenix’s (one) sectional performance two starts back at Melton behind Amigos was great. The horse with the next best recent sectional performances in this field is One Over All (11) who needs to overcome an awkward barrier and will need to run extra distance wide on the track to win. Hephaestus Phoenix has the best gate speed and will have the choice to hold the front or take a sit.

Ollivici (nine) is in good form and will follow through Ebonys Avenger (two) early to get into a good position and will be a big threat late. Harry Stamper (10) is a classy horse and is second-up but will need luck from an awkward barrier.

RACE 2: TRIPLE EIGHT (eight)

Triple Eight (eight) is an in-form runner who is full of confidence and the stand-out sectional performer in this field. He follows out Helluva (one), who has the gate speed to lead and hold the front, a position he thrives in but is rare to find. Triple Eight also has the best swooper speed late, so if he does get shuffled back, he will still be a threat late.

Heza Son Of Agun (two) has found his winning form, will likely find a good position and be flashing home late again. Captain Hammerhead (13) is in winning form and has sectionally been performing well of late. However, he is at a disadvantage from his poor barrier and may struggle to get into the race.

RACE 3: JILLIBYJACKSPARROW (one)

Jillibyjacksparrow (one) and Platinum Stride (nine) have the best recent sectional performances in this field. The advantage goes to Jillibyjacksparrow with barrier one and the best gate speed in the race. He will be able to lead and then decide if he wants to take a sit or hold the front. Nonparreil (eight) and Radius (two) are racing well enough to be in the finish and should find good positions from their barriers.

RACE 4: JOELITA (one)

Joelita (one) has the second best recent sectional performances in this field and will not need to cover extra distance from her barrier draw. She does not have the best gate speed in this race and may get double-crossed with Rosarito Miss (three) having the best gate speed and a tendency to hand up. Joelita is classy enough to swoop home regardless.

Ubetcha Tigerpie (seven) is back in Victoria after a Sydney campaign. He has the best recent sectional performances but has an awkward barrier draw and will need to cover extra distance to win.

RACE 5: LADIES IN RED (six)

Ladies In Red (six) is clearly the star mare here. Sectionally, she’s currently racing 2-4 seconds better than the rest of this field. Regardless of where she ends up, she will be extremely hard to beat.

The rest of the field is very even, however Rakero Rebel (two) and Tangoingwithsierra (one) are likely to fill the minor positions with the more favourable barrier draws. Sew What (five) has a poor gate but will be in the competition for the minor placings in this race.

RACE 6: ALDEBARAN VERA (four)

Aledebaran Vera (four) is first-up in over 180 days, however her sectional performances from last preparation are better than this field’s current sectionals. Tipsy Turvy (one) has the gate speed to lead but will likely hand up and Aldebaran Vera will probably be the first horse to take that position. She should be hard to beat if her fitness is good enough.

Jazspur (five), Illawong Larajay (two), Hot To Trot (seven) and Courmayeur (nine) have been racing well but will be relying on luck and manners.

RACE 7: ROYAL DIVISION (four)

Royal Division (four) has the best gate speed in this field. He may not find the front as Eagle Watch (three) has enough speed to hold him out and get between Royal Division and The Beach Fantasy (two). If he doesn’t find the front, he is still likely to find a good position, and with his good recent sectional performances, he should be in the finish late.

The Beach Fantasy (two) and Eagle Watch (three) are not the best sectional performers in the run. However, their good barrier draws should put them in the finish. Le Belle Bijoux (seven) has the best sectional performances in this field of late but will need to overcome the awkward barrier of seven.

RACE 8: CREATABLE (one)

Creatable (one) has the best barrier, good manners, good gate speed and strong enough recent sectional performances to be able to win this race.

Moonwalka (eight) follows out Creatable and will have a good fence line run to be a threat late.

Keayang Xena (10) and Hautacam (seven) have good recent sectional performances but are likely to find awkward positions in running which will require them to run extra distance.

If the emergency Imperial Monarch (two) gets a start, he will also be a big threat in this race.

RACE 9: QUADDIE VC (one)

Quaddie VC (one) raced okay in his first-up run in Australia, finishing sixth behind Dhaulagiri.

Although beaten, his sectionals were still strong in that run. Second-up now, he should improve off his first-up performance and has enough gate speed to lead.

Isthisjustfantasy (six) has the best recent sectionals in this field but has the slowest gate speed and will have to restrain to an awkward position. She's good enough to win but will need some luck.

Hittheroadjack (nine) will be following through Quaddie VC if the emergency (barrier eight) does not get a run. Courageous Saint (11) has great recent sectional performances but will need luck from a wide back row barrier.

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.