Was watching the 'Sunday Roast,' {what a fine programme!} on Sunday last, and couldn't help hearing Andrew Voss say this, in response to a question from some other panelist - possibly the erudite Mark Geyer - about the IPL: 'I think I watched the Butter Chickens play the Lamb Korma's.' Wow. There are two things wrong with this. Last start with the easy one. The Indian team names in the IPL are already fucking hilarious. It would take a comedian of considerable talent to do better. Andrew Voss is not such a genius.
Secondly, you go straight for the curry stereotype {which one hoped died it's horrible death when we saw the last of the comic stylings of Mahatma Coat} - and then can't even pick an interesting curry. Had you dug a little deeper into the bank and come up with the Dehli Dosai vs the Hyderabad Chicken Chettinand with a side of mango chutney. No sir, you did not. You could have gone to an Indian restaurant, grabbed a menu and come up with something via the simple technique of aliteration. That is why they pay you the big bucks.
Indian Friends, send Andrew Voss an email. Don't get creative with your stereotypes. Ask him if he rides a Kangaroo to work. He is involved in Rugby League commentary - so ask him whether he washes down his Winfield Blue with VB or Fosters. Ask him how he manages to remove the red pubes. After all, he is the Robin to Gould's Batman. Or more appropriately the Ace to Gould's garry.
Anyway, a much belated entry into the WHAB Hall of Schruteabaginess.
Monday, May 5, 2008
A Plea to Foxsports, ESPN
Why is it that the NBA Playoffs on Foxsports and ESPN are covered less than the regular season? There were at least three regular season games every week, sometimes four, and now there are only two. I was looking forward to watching plenty of competitive matches with no more Miami and Minnesota getting their asses handed to them. But no. The series' are spread out so there are matches every day at his point so the excuse that there are less teams and therefore less matches doesn't hold. The two matches being shown are on Saturday and Sunday in Australia so I miss Saturday's due to my horse racing commitments. Watching a replay is out because of Super Saturday NRL. That leaves me one match only if I don't go visit my parents or get dragged shopping with the missus on Sunday. To think that from Monday night after Monday Night Football (when it's on) to 7.30 on a Friday night I'm just sitting around with nothing to do but blog or actually do some work is depressing. C'mon Foxsports. C'mon ESPY. Give me some midweek NBA!
Punting challenge
The lads are in a bit of a pickle regarding who won this weeks tipping comp. Just so we are not confused though, it is not me.
The Captain is convinced that he gets $25 back for his draw in the City Country game (half the payout for $20 @ 2.50) and JB is convinced that we are looking at his $20 being refunded.
Going to the Sportingbet website for guidance, we find that given that no draw option was given, then the payout should be half of the total payout - i.e. The Captain is right. A Refund only applies in line/handicap betting.
As it stands, I gain +6.50, JB + 72.5 and the Captain + 75.5
Sorry JB, you are joining me on punishment post duty this week.
The Captain is convinced that he gets $25 back for his draw in the City Country game (half the payout for $20 @ 2.50) and JB is convinced that we are looking at his $20 being refunded.
Going to the Sportingbet website for guidance, we find that given that no draw option was given, then the payout should be half of the total payout - i.e. The Captain is right. A Refund only applies in line/handicap betting.
As it stands, I gain +6.50, JB + 72.5 and the Captain + 75.5
Sorry JB, you are joining me on punishment post duty this week.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Poll Results
The poll results are in; 40% said Harbhajan should be banned until he completes a 'douchebag management' course, 25% said he should be banned for life and 25% said he was a top bloke! Funnily enough no-one thought that 11 matches was fair!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Where's the Kudos
If I have to listen to Craig Foster tell me about the beauty of the 'Mariners' system for engaging the local populace, I think, no I will, shoot him. But seriously, how can he be pious in his scathing of the Sydney FC operations for failing to recognise the fans when both SBS and the FFA fail to acknowledge the fans as the true source for many of 'their' ideas.
In an email sent to both the FFA and SBS in February, yours truly put forth the idea for creating a domestic cup competition similar to that of the English FA Cup. In March of the same year FoxSports released an article detailing how Ben Buckley had come up with this masterful stroke of genius (see above link). Furthermore it was I who suggested to SBS the idea of an evening football show to compete with the likes of the AFL and NRL footy shows on channel nine. Miraculously, a new entrant on the Thursday night football arena was created.
Now I'm not solely here to blow my own trumpet, but I question how many of the new initiatives to be employed in next years A-league competition were sourced from fans with no credit given. I can not imagine it was the fools at the FFA who came up with the great idea to hold the final on a Saturday night. A move that will hopefully also urge NRL to drop their ridiculous Sunday night grand final.
I'm however glad to see that a cautious approach has been taken by the FFA with regards to the two front running entrants from Queensland, the Gold Coast and Townsville, with the door held very much ajar for second teams from Melbourne and Sydney. It baffles me to think that the Victory is the only team from Victoria while NSW has three teams. After accounting for the new teams to join the competition, Victoria will still have only 2 teams as apposed to 4 from NSW and 3 from Queensland. I'm just going to throw this out there, but a team from Singapore would have to be in the sights of an expanding A-league.
The new announcement to create a marquee youth player at each club valued at $150,000 is one that leaves a bad taste in my mouth and surely straight from the FFA desk. Veerbeek got plenty of media when giving the truth about the state of competition in the A League, and now the FFA are trying to say that this will stop the 'player drain' and improve the League - bullocks. $150,000 AUD is nothing compared to the Pounds/Euros on offer overseas. Furthermore, should we really be trying to hold back tomorrows stars from gaining experience and even more importantly coaching, that they just can't get in the A-league. Obviously there is concern that the A-League will evolve into nothing more than a playground for retiring former greats, a short stepping stone for talented youth and the pinnacle for many below average midle-age Australian players. Well, what did you expect? The A-league should be striving to become an elite breeding ground for future overseas based stars, Australian or otherwise. The A-league can't compete with the EPL or the likes and it shouldn't. Policies surrounding youth marquee players need to be binned, and policies that eliminate the below average middle-age players of the game need to be adopted. Put the $150,000 per club into expanding the quality of the coaching, furthering player development and better scouting for YOUNG international players. Don't hold back talented youth - breed more, and give them a competition to show off their skills before making us proud OS.
Its great to see the FFA adopt policies inspired by the fans - just give us the damn credit. At the same time it pains me to see the FFA try and come up with its own policies (such as the youth marquee) that will hurt Australian football. To be sure the lesser of the two evils is for the FFA to just use the Fans' ideas and for the love of the game stop trying to come up with their own.
In an email sent to both the FFA and SBS in February, yours truly put forth the idea for creating a domestic cup competition similar to that of the English FA Cup. In March of the same year FoxSports released an article detailing how Ben Buckley had come up with this masterful stroke of genius (see above link). Furthermore it was I who suggested to SBS the idea of an evening football show to compete with the likes of the AFL and NRL footy shows on channel nine. Miraculously, a new entrant on the Thursday night football arena was created.
Now I'm not solely here to blow my own trumpet, but I question how many of the new initiatives to be employed in next years A-league competition were sourced from fans with no credit given. I can not imagine it was the fools at the FFA who came up with the great idea to hold the final on a Saturday night. A move that will hopefully also urge NRL to drop their ridiculous Sunday night grand final.
I'm however glad to see that a cautious approach has been taken by the FFA with regards to the two front running entrants from Queensland, the Gold Coast and Townsville, with the door held very much ajar for second teams from Melbourne and Sydney. It baffles me to think that the Victory is the only team from Victoria while NSW has three teams. After accounting for the new teams to join the competition, Victoria will still have only 2 teams as apposed to 4 from NSW and 3 from Queensland. I'm just going to throw this out there, but a team from Singapore would have to be in the sights of an expanding A-league.
The new announcement to create a marquee youth player at each club valued at $150,000 is one that leaves a bad taste in my mouth and surely straight from the FFA desk. Veerbeek got plenty of media when giving the truth about the state of competition in the A League, and now the FFA are trying to say that this will stop the 'player drain' and improve the League - bullocks. $150,000 AUD is nothing compared to the Pounds/Euros on offer overseas. Furthermore, should we really be trying to hold back tomorrows stars from gaining experience and even more importantly coaching, that they just can't get in the A-league. Obviously there is concern that the A-League will evolve into nothing more than a playground for retiring former greats, a short stepping stone for talented youth and the pinnacle for many below average midle-age Australian players. Well, what did you expect? The A-league should be striving to become an elite breeding ground for future overseas based stars, Australian or otherwise. The A-league can't compete with the EPL or the likes and it shouldn't. Policies surrounding youth marquee players need to be binned, and policies that eliminate the below average middle-age players of the game need to be adopted. Put the $150,000 per club into expanding the quality of the coaching, furthering player development and better scouting for YOUNG international players. Don't hold back talented youth - breed more, and give them a competition to show off their skills before making us proud OS.
Its great to see the FFA adopt policies inspired by the fans - just give us the damn credit. At the same time it pains me to see the FFA try and come up with its own policies (such as the youth marquee) that will hurt Australian football. To be sure the lesser of the two evils is for the FFA to just use the Fans' ideas and for the love of the game stop trying to come up with their own.
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Weekend Financial Review
Not much chop in the NRL, happy to let them play for points and play my money on something with a pulse.
AFL
$20 Richmond to beat St Kilda <40 paying $3.15
$15 Bulldogs to beat Sydney <40 paying $3.30
EPL
$10 on Portsmouth to beat Middlesbrough at $3.65
And in case my luck is in, lets put $5 on the combined multi paying $37.95
AFL
$20 Richmond to beat St Kilda <40 paying $3.15
$15 Bulldogs to beat Sydney <40 paying $3.30
EPL
$10 on Portsmouth to beat Middlesbrough at $3.65
And in case my luck is in, lets put $5 on the combined multi paying $37.95
Sydney Cup Last Chance $50
Keeping it simple so everyone can feel the warm thrill of backing a winner:
$30 Nose No wine, No Song
$5 E/W Young Centaur
$10 Place Grand Destiny
Done, will be posting weekend sport tips shortly.
$30 Nose No wine, No Song
$5 E/W Young Centaur
$10 Place Grand Destiny
Done, will be posting weekend sport tips shortly.
What To Do With My Last 2 x $50 Instalments
SYDNEY CUP:
$30 to win on No Wine No Song
$4 each way on Young Centaur
$4 each way on Grand Destiny
$2 each way on the Chieftain
SPORT:
$20 on City to win vs Country @ $2.50
$10 on West Coast to win vs Carlton @ $2.30
$10 on Richmond to win vs St. Kilda @ $2.45
$10 on Western Bulldogs to win vs Sydney @ $2.65
Go the Captain!
$30 to win on No Wine No Song
$4 each way on Young Centaur
$4 each way on Grand Destiny
$2 each way on the Chieftain
SPORT:
$20 on City to win vs Country @ $2.50
$10 on West Coast to win vs Carlton @ $2.30
$10 on Richmond to win vs St. Kilda @ $2.45
$10 on Western Bulldogs to win vs Sydney @ $2.65
Go the Captain!
Professor's punting - $50 for the Sydney Cup and $50 for Sports...
A nice easy combined post for my $100 for the weekend. Not a weekend of Sport that I am too fussed on betting on. The League markets don't give me any value to get excited about, nor do the AFL markets.
What to do??
Well, the only sports bet that I like for the weekend is the Waratahs to beat the Bulls away. After the Waratahs strong win at home to the Sharks on the weekend, I think that they can back up in Pretoria. The Tah's don't typically spank any team, so the 1-12 win looks about right. $25 on that @$2.90.
For the rest of my "sports" betting I am looking at the Champagne at Randwick tomorrow. Two runs last weekend caught the eye. Glowlamp and Samantha Miss look like they could turn the tables on Sebring over the 1600m. $15 on Samantha Miss and $10 on the Lamp.
Now to the Sydney Cup. The only horse in this field that I would fancy a few $$ on each way on the first Tuesday in November is Lacey Underall. Looks to run a strong 3200, horse very much on the up... $12 each way.
$10 on Young Centaur to win.. Could be a really good stayer in the making.
$4/$4 on Grand Destiny. This horse is insanely good value.
$2/$3 on Tails of Triomphe. Ditto.
$3 win Lazer Sharp. If he can turn it around, there is some lovely value.
So there you have it... The Professor's best tips for the weekend. I am leaving out No Wine, No Song because I wouldn't be willing to put as much on it as the other guys, so it won't be a good result for me regardless. Will probably have some of my own on it though. It is a top chance. I do think there is a lot of fun for the value shoppers in this one.
Good luck!
Professor.
What to do??
Well, the only sports bet that I like for the weekend is the Waratahs to beat the Bulls away. After the Waratahs strong win at home to the Sharks on the weekend, I think that they can back up in Pretoria. The Tah's don't typically spank any team, so the 1-12 win looks about right. $25 on that @$2.90.
For the rest of my "sports" betting I am looking at the Champagne at Randwick tomorrow. Two runs last weekend caught the eye. Glowlamp and Samantha Miss look like they could turn the tables on Sebring over the 1600m. $15 on Samantha Miss and $10 on the Lamp.
Now to the Sydney Cup. The only horse in this field that I would fancy a few $$ on each way on the first Tuesday in November is Lacey Underall. Looks to run a strong 3200, horse very much on the up... $12 each way.
$10 on Young Centaur to win.. Could be a really good stayer in the making.
$4/$4 on Grand Destiny. This horse is insanely good value.
$2/$3 on Tails of Triomphe. Ditto.
$3 win Lazer Sharp. If he can turn it around, there is some lovely value.
So there you have it... The Professor's best tips for the weekend. I am leaving out No Wine, No Song because I wouldn't be willing to put as much on it as the other guys, so it won't be a good result for me regardless. Will probably have some of my own on it though. It is a top chance. I do think there is a lot of fun for the value shoppers in this one.
Good luck!
Professor.
WHAB Presents: Your Sydney cup Preview Post
Well, Saturday at Randwick we have another BIG race. The Sydney Cup.
Staying racing in Australia is typically, well... not the best. Generally speaking, it won't be as hard as the Golden Slipper or the Doncaster to rule a line through some of the horses that are racing. It is thus my hope that this thing doesn't become as arduous as the last two big preview posts. Another big hope for us is that we don't end up with no winners between the three of us, yet again. The horror of last week in the past, but not forgotten... and here goes.
The Sydney Cup acheived group one status in 1980. And the Honour Roll, whilst including champions like Makybe Diva, Kingston Town and Tie the Knot also includes a lot of horses that pay homage to the lack of real class in this field in most years.
Take your last three winners; Gallic, County Tyrone and Mahtoum.
You'd love to own them, but you typically don't think about them in the same breath as the Melbourne Cup winners over the same period.
I would love to see old County Tyrone repeat his 2006 success in this race. The much travelled warhorse deserves to be well in the market and would provide a great story if he got up here. No Wine No Song comes in with a striking win last weekend under his belt, and is a deserved favourite. Pentathon has been set for this and been travelling around in better company than this lately. The Fuzz was favourite for this race until his last start disaster. Can he bounce back?? Lacey Underall has had massive wraps as a stayer in the making for a long time - but has become a costly one to follow.
Realistically, one of us should come through with the good oil this week. A dodgy staying affair will hopefully save our flagging reputations...So who you got?
1. County Tyrone 57kg (13)
Price: $11
Staying racing in Australia is typically, well... not the best. Generally speaking, it won't be as hard as the Golden Slipper or the Doncaster to rule a line through some of the horses that are racing. It is thus my hope that this thing doesn't become as arduous as the last two big preview posts. Another big hope for us is that we don't end up with no winners between the three of us, yet again. The horror of last week in the past, but not forgotten... and here goes.
The Sydney Cup acheived group one status in 1980. And the Honour Roll, whilst including champions like Makybe Diva, Kingston Town and Tie the Knot also includes a lot of horses that pay homage to the lack of real class in this field in most years.
Take your last three winners; Gallic, County Tyrone and Mahtoum.
You'd love to own them, but you typically don't think about them in the same breath as the Melbourne Cup winners over the same period.
I would love to see old County Tyrone repeat his 2006 success in this race. The much travelled warhorse deserves to be well in the market and would provide a great story if he got up here. No Wine No Song comes in with a striking win last weekend under his belt, and is a deserved favourite. Pentathon has been set for this and been travelling around in better company than this lately. The Fuzz was favourite for this race until his last start disaster. Can he bounce back?? Lacey Underall has had massive wraps as a stayer in the making for a long time - but has become a costly one to follow.
Realistically, one of us should come through with the good oil this week. A dodgy staying affair will hopefully save our flagging reputations...So who you got?
1. County Tyrone 57kg (13)
Price: $11
One Sydney Cup, two Sydney CUPS???Professor Chaos: Has been prepared for this race, and ONLY this race. 3200 metres is about the only trip that this guy can compete over these days, but my can he compete at this distance. Won here in 2006, has put in some decent runs in the Melbourne Cup in his day. Really can win.
JB: For emotional betters, betting for nostalgia - You will probably see me with something on him come the bell.
Captain Carnage: Grand old stager who has a win, two seconds and a fourth in the five Sydney Cups he has contested. His lead up form is good and is capable in all conditions. It would be nice to see him win and he is a good value at $11. We'll find out tomorrow if time has caught up with him.
2. The Fuzz 56.5kg (4)
Price: $9
Professor Chaos: Looked like he might love the swamp at Rosehill his last time out, and then - well, didn't. Was well beaten (26 Lengths!!!) there. Scratched from last years Melbourne Cup, so we have never seen him attempt this distance. I had him down as a lightweight hope in the Melbourne Cup last year. So on that he has to be in with a chance. With the second top weight here and last starts disaster though, you have to be a little wary.
Professor Chaos: Looked like he might love the swamp at Rosehill his last time out, and then - well, didn't. Was well beaten (26 Lengths!!!) there. Scratched from last years Melbourne Cup, so we have never seen him attempt this distance. I had him down as a lightweight hope in the Melbourne Cup last year. So on that he has to be in with a chance. With the second top weight here and last starts disaster though, you have to be a little wary.
JB: Price hardly reflects the risk.
Captain Carnage: Repeating my general rule, I can't back a horse with such a bad run in it's lead up. And his was a real stinker when everything pointed to him being a mudlark. Must be something wrong that the vet's haven't picked up as he is far better than that. Here, given the circumstances and the fact he is untried and a query over the trip, he is entitled to be at much longer odds.
3. Pentathon 56.o kg (6)
Price: $6
Professor Chaos: Another one of these that has been crying out for the extra trip. Came from last to 5th behind Tuesday Joy in the BMW. Looks to be a serious stayer... Hard not to be excited by his prospects on Saturday. Will get a big pull in the weights against the Chieftain and No Wine No Song as opposed to two starts back.
3. Pentathon 56.o kg (6)
Price: $6
Professor Chaos: Another one of these that has been crying out for the extra trip. Came from last to 5th behind Tuesday Joy in the BMW. Looks to be a serious stayer... Hard not to be excited by his prospects on Saturday. Will get a big pull in the weights against the Chieftain and No Wine No Song as opposed to two starts back.
JB: Not going to be my horse on the day.
Captain Carnage: A genuine stayer who gets a bit of relief in the weights. Likes it wet and dry and his run was super behind Tuesday Joy but his run was far from super in the Auckland Cup over the same trip. Can be a bit up and down. A winning chance but not sure the $6 is great value.
4. Lazer Sharp 55.5 kg (17)
Price: $26
Professor Chaos: Basing your opinion on current form, you must think that the Sharpy is hard to have. Didn't handle the conditions last start, and was looking like he was building to something before that.
JB: Not this horse, not this race.
Captain Carnage: Hmm, a horse definitely capable of greeting the judge here even without an eyecatcher in his runs leading into this. Was a very credible 10th in last year's Melbourne Cup, so the ability is there; the only question is whether he can put it together tomorrow. Probably a better horse the Melbourne way of going but one I'll be throwing into my multi's.
5. No Wine, No Song 55.5 kg (9)
Price: $4.60
Professor Chaos: Looks almost bombproof for this one. Last three starts on differing conditions have been exceptional. Will likely get the trip without too many concerns. Handled the heavy better than the rest last week which may have skewed the result a bit. Will, at the very least make you feel like a winner at some point.
JB: Deserved favourite, definitely at the top of the list.
Captain Carnage: Favourite for the Cup after his strong win in the Chairman's and rightly so. Couple with that the fact he was third in this race last year and is no doubt over the trip, has likely improved since then and handles all conditions it's hard to see him not being in the finish. The one to beat.
6. Young Centaur 55.0 kg (1)
Price: $12
Professor Chaos: If you look at the last run, it is a pretty strong set of credentials that the Centaur brings into this race. Got back and made a lot of late ground on the Cheiftain and No Wine in the Manion. Has won over the trip once from two starts and encountered a bog in the other start which doesn't look like his go. Well Weighted... good chance.
JB: Plenty to fancy at $12, will have to factor
Captain Carnage: On face value I thought his Auckland Cup run was disappointing but his stats suggest he likes it no worse than dead which may bring him into play. His run in the Manion was solid and he meets The Chieftain 3.5kg's better. Should run the trip right out and is one of the better fancies.
7. Red Lord 54.5 kg (14)
Price: $9
Professor Chaos: Has strong claims but at $9 I don't think that I can buy into the Red Lord story. At longer odds, I prefer the Centaur, the COUNT and the FUZZ.
Professor Chaos: Has strong claims but at $9 I don't think that I can buy into the Red Lord story. At longer odds, I prefer the Centaur, the COUNT and the FUZZ.
JB: Not a story I'll be reading this weekend.
Captain Carnage: When a horse is at $9, he needs it dry and I have a distance query on him to run a strong two miles in Group 1 company then I would conclude that he's no value whatsoever. Sure his last run can be put down to the conditions but all the same, it was far from an ideal preparation. Prefer others at better odds.
8. Exinite 54 kg (15)
8. Exinite 54 kg (15)
Price: $14
Professor Chaos: If you can't shop better than $14 about Exinite on raceday there is something seriously wrong. In his favour, he made excellent late ground last start. Coming from the tail of the field. Obviously looks like 3200 metres will be a laugh but whether he can get it done remains to be seen.
Professor Chaos: If you can't shop better than $14 about Exinite on raceday there is something seriously wrong. In his favour, he made excellent late ground last start. Coming from the tail of the field. Obviously looks like 3200 metres will be a laugh but whether he can get it done remains to be seen.
JB: Not in this class.
Captain Carnage: Not convinced he'll get the trip...in time to win the race. Looks to be thereabouts a lot without looking like winning. Meets No Wine No Song 3kg's worse for being beaten 3.6 lengths. Not keen at $14.
9. Grand Destiny 54kg (14)
Captain Carnage: Not convinced he'll get the trip...in time to win the race. Looks to be thereabouts a lot without looking like winning. Meets No Wine No Song 3kg's worse for being beaten 3.6 lengths. Not keen at $14.
9. Grand Destiny 54kg (14)
Price: $41
Professor Chaos: Following a less travelled road to the Sydney Cup. Defeated the handy stayer Tails of Triomphe at Caulfield over near enough to 2400 (What kind of retarded distance is 2394??? Fuck you Caulfield). Then came out won at Flemington over 2500. Beating: ELWOOD! As soon as I saw that I started humming blues brothers shit. Awesome. $41 is Juicy for a horse that has had a pretty fine run to this. Will be investing in some way.
Professor Chaos: Following a less travelled road to the Sydney Cup. Defeated the handy stayer Tails of Triomphe at Caulfield over near enough to 2400 (What kind of retarded distance is 2394??? Fuck you Caulfield). Then came out won at Flemington over 2500. Beating: ELWOOD! As soon as I saw that I started humming blues brothers shit. Awesome. $41 is Juicy for a horse that has had a pretty fine run to this. Will be investing in some way.
JB: I got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and I'm wearing sunglasses - HIT IT.
Captain Carnage: An interesting runner, well worth making the trip north for connections with the Sydney Cup not usually being a star-studded field. Showed his mastery at the specialist distance of 2394m and backed that up with another win over the more mundane distance of 2500m. It would have been nice to see him run the Sydney way before this race but still the $41 doesn't look the silliest of bets. Each way chance.
10. Lacey Underall 54.0 kg (10)
Price: $13
Professor Chaos: I have been hearing a lot about this horse and it's potential as a stayer for a long time. Never quite put it together in a Melbourne Campaign last spring. But has come back this year to win an Adelaide Cup over this trip and was probably the owner of the best late sectionals in the Manion. My top pick.
10. Lacey Underall 54.0 kg (10)
Price: $13
Professor Chaos: I have been hearing a lot about this horse and it's potential as a stayer for a long time. Never quite put it together in a Melbourne Campaign last spring. But has come back this year to win an Adelaide Cup over this trip and was probably the owner of the best late sectionals in the Manion. My top pick.
JB: Plenty to like, will struggle against the likes of the wine song.
Captain Carnage: Hard to knock a horse with a win over the two miles and meets The Chieftain 2kg's better in the weights on the Manion run. Is sure to be among the fittest in the field but a poorly timed downpour will surely ruin her chances. If the track totally dries out she's a big chance.
11. Lang 54.0 (3)
Price: $26
Professor Chaos: If the Clubber couldn't do any better than 2.7 L fifth on his much loved heavy last week, he won't win this.
Professor Chaos: If the Clubber couldn't do any better than 2.7 L fifth on his much loved heavy last week, he won't win this.
JB: Pass
Captain Carnage: The wetter the better for this fellow. Doubt he has the class despite a big finish at his last run. However, is another one that meets No Wine No Song worse in the weights. Others seem to offer more than he does for his $26.
12. Resolution 54.0 kg (12)
Price: $11
Professor Chaos: Talking bout a Resolution... Your best run in the Chairmans. Give him a dry track over 3200?? Could do anything. Has had so few runs on dry tracks over any meaningful trip.. it makes it hard to say whether he wants the sting out of the ground or not.
12. Resolution 54.0 kg (12)
Price: $11
Professor Chaos: Talking bout a Resolution... Your best run in the Chairmans. Give him a dry track over 3200?? Could do anything. Has had so few runs on dry tracks over any meaningful trip.. it makes it hard to say whether he wants the sting out of the ground or not.
JB: Keep talking, it won't happen this weekend
Captain Carnage: Although it's hard to fathom a horse who has only won one race winning a Group 1 he has good form over the distance and comfortably beat home Young Centaur and Pentathon. Nice run in the Chairman's but will concede 2kg's to the winner there. Should be fit and hitting the line hard. Rain will aid his cause. A chance.
13. Sir James 54.0 kg (7)
Price: $23
Professor Chaos: Hard for me to enthuse. Didn't run on too much in the Chairmans. You know that someone will give you that Cummings factor crap. That's why he is shorter than he should be.
13. Sir James 54.0 kg (7)
Price: $23
Professor Chaos: Hard for me to enthuse. Didn't run on too much in the Chairmans. You know that someone will give you that Cummings factor crap. That's why he is shorter than he should be.
JB: Bart Cummingsblah blah blah ...
Captain Carnage: Like Exinite, looks like he'll get the trip but not quick enough to be winning a Sydney Cup. Always thereabouts, 3 or 4 lengths behind No Wine No Song (who has less weight here). Find others more appealing.
14. Tails of Triomphe 54.0 kg (8)
Price: $31
Professor Chaos: Another one that is great value. Was just warming up in the Chairmans when he crossed the line. Has shown that 3200 will suit. Great value.
14. Tails of Triomphe 54.0 kg (8)
Price: $31
Professor Chaos: Another one that is great value. Was just warming up in the Chairmans when he crossed the line. Has shown that 3200 will suit. Great value.
JB: Not this race.
Captain Carnage: Another Melbourne visitor capable of running a cheeky race. Somehow carries the same weight as Lacey Underall after the third in the Adelaide Cup, where they also carried the same weight. Add this one to the long list that meet said Chairman's winner worse at the weights. A place chance.
15. The Chieftain 54.0 kg (11)
Price: $17
Professor Chaos: Wants it bone dry does the Chieftain. Hard to knock anything about his form leading into last week. Wants it bone dry.
15. The Chieftain 54.0 kg (11)
Price: $17
Professor Chaos: Wants it bone dry does the Chieftain. Hard to knock anything about his form leading into last week. Wants it bone dry.
JB: You know who also likes the bone - the professor, all night long. In this race expect the Chief to be giving it from behind the top three.
16. Play Me 52.5 (2)
Price: $71
Professor Chaos: Hard to enthuse. The good run behind Sky Biscuit is okay for easier.
JB: Pass
Captain Carnage: Doesn't appear to have the strongest formlines. Untried at the distance and I have a question mark right there. At that price is sure to attract the attention of any trackside hen's party punters to the tune of a buck each way.
17. Philosophe
Price: EM.
The GOOD oil:
Professor Chaos: I walked into this preview honestly thinking that his $50 would be best spent on No Wine, No Song and leaving it at that. Then I thought that you couldn't knock Pentathon.. Right now, I am looking at three horses that I think are phenomenal chances. Pentathon - set for this and will relish the 3200. The other two that I can't get past are Lacey Underall and Resolution. Both put in booming runs in their last starts and you have to think that they will be hard to hold out in the shadow of the post. If you want some rough hopes, then how can you go past Grand Destiny and Tails of Triomphe??
No wine no song is a very hard horse to top in this, so I am nowhere near writing it off but I think that there is a lot of better value floating around. Would love to see the COUNT salute.. one of my favourite horses.
The real spanner in the works could come from No Wine No Song getting to walk out front. Lazer Sharp and Play me are the only obvious leaders and if they are allowed to walk, then No Wine No Song could be nigh on untouchable.
1. Lacey Underall
17. Philosophe
Price: EM.
The GOOD oil:
Professor Chaos: I walked into this preview honestly thinking that his $50 would be best spent on No Wine, No Song and leaving it at that. Then I thought that you couldn't knock Pentathon.. Right now, I am looking at three horses that I think are phenomenal chances. Pentathon - set for this and will relish the 3200. The other two that I can't get past are Lacey Underall and Resolution. Both put in booming runs in their last starts and you have to think that they will be hard to hold out in the shadow of the post. If you want some rough hopes, then how can you go past Grand Destiny and Tails of Triomphe??
No wine no song is a very hard horse to top in this, so I am nowhere near writing it off but I think that there is a lot of better value floating around. Would love to see the COUNT salute.. one of my favourite horses.
The real spanner in the works could come from No Wine No Song getting to walk out front. Lazer Sharp and Play me are the only obvious leaders and if they are allowed to walk, then No Wine No Song could be nigh on untouchable.
1. Lacey Underall
2. Young Centaur
3. No Wine, No Song
4. Grand Destiny
5. Pentathon
Others of note are Lazer Sharp, Tails of Triomphe, Resolution.
JB: The more you look into it the less there is to look for. No Wine No Song will be receiving the bulk of the funds on the nose with an each way flutter on Young Centaur and Grand Destiny. Now excuse me while I kiss the sky.
Captain's Catch:
Consistency; tick. Distance; tick. Track; tick. Conditions; tick. Weighted to win; tick. It's No Wine No Song to win. My selections:
1. No Wine No Song
2. Grand Destiny
3. Young Centaur
4. Lacey Underall (to be replaced by Lazer Sharp if wet)
Working around these five with The Chieftain in trifecta and first four betting.
Captain's Catch:
Consistency; tick. Distance; tick. Track; tick. Conditions; tick. Weighted to win; tick. It's No Wine No Song to win. My selections:
1. No Wine No Song
2. Grand Destiny
3. Young Centaur
4. Lacey Underall (to be replaced by Lazer Sharp if wet)
Working around these five with The Chieftain in trifecta and first four betting.
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