Macca

I am like that at Sha Tin ... I found a tipping website with a whole host of tipsters battling away but none of them are any good. Golden rule is to follow Purton & Moreira up there because not only are they clearly the best 2 jockeys but they're often on the best horses. But Sha Tin racing isn't for everyone. For me, it's one of my favourite racing venues (along with Flemington & Randwick) Down here most of the tipsters are quite average except for Gator & JJ. Both are quite brilliant and to ignore either is asking for trouble. They know their stuff and their biases are fairly minor. Let's face it, they know more than we could ever know but most tipsters have some sort of bias. And you can't be biased when on the punt. That's their issue. Bias. For instance, I've got a mate (older) who has so many biases (hates the Sydney way of going, various trainers, various jockeys etc etc) that I often wonder how he could possibly ever win! Actually, he doesn't win very often so there you go. I like to take it all in and then filter out the rubbish. But in the end there is an enormous amount of luck involved. It's not like footy where it often boils down to list quality vs list quality. i.e if you've got enough good players you can win and if you haven't got enough good players you won't win. Horse racing is often quite different. e.g Bivouac was a moral beaten on Friday might ... locked in and couldn't get out. That's racing.

As an aside, the strength of the Japan horses over the middle distances and as stayers dates back a few decades when they decided to buy up as many USA Derby winners as was possible. Dating back to one horse in particular (I've forgotten the name of the horse) where the bloodlines continue on to this day. So it was a long term plan. And that is what it takes to be highly competitive in a now Worldwide racing industry Thankfully our sprinter/miler stocks and bloodlines are very strong so that's where our strengths lie (1000m up to a mile) And NSW racing has taken up the slack with regards to those types of races. Smart thinking DZ

The English racing identity 'Matt Chapman' gave the Hayes clan (and the owners*) a serve after they sacked Nolen and mentioned that there was no justification in doing so. And I agree with him. And now they've got got their just deserts and are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Stubborness will possibly win out so I don't expect Nolen to be reinstated. And if one was to watch the Caulfield Cup again (closely) it's hard to see what Nolen did wrong. It was a roughhouse affair at times and he just got caight up in it. As did a number of other jockeys. In an 18 horse field over 2400m at a tight course like Caulfield - what do people expect? *Coolmore are the principle owners of Constantinople

I'm all over the England leagues tonight (as per usual) Went for doubles only last week but trebles tonight. There are any number of free-scoring teams that usually win at home and those are the teams that I follow. Especially in the National League North & South.

Yes it was a great fighting win by Amangiri ... had a little on for the win but I never load up these days. Prefer to have a small interest in a number of races Wadda. And last night that system of betting paid off with Loving Gaby & Vital Silver in the Manikato Stakes. 'Sale Cup' on tomorrow to keep things ticking over. Fancy 'Romancer' to get into the finish but 'Mr Money Bags' might run a bold race. They run for $200k ... it's race 8 for those with an interest.

I follow a couple of tipsters (David Gately & James Jordan) and they are both a big help. Especially if you're an exotics punter. They have their off days but 1 of them is usually on their game most weekends. Gator & JJ's tips are listed on www.racing.com.au. JJ is wasted in Adelaide though. He'd dominate if he was based out of Sydney. The trouble with Morphettville are that the fields are too small and there is a limited amount of value to be had. He quite regularly picks 4 or 5 winners most Saturday's though. Footnote: Gator tipped 4 of the last 5 winners at Randwick today (tips were available at www.skyracing.com.au) He also tipped 3 winners at the Valley.

I like to find positives when it comes to sport Wadda ... but sometimes those positives are hard to find! So the more the merrier when it comes to the best bets I say. We can sort it all out as individuals (as you've done) Just so long as we don't compete with each other by keeping each race as a seperate pick. First in, best dressed so to speak. We could end up with a 12 pick multi (which gets up) and in turn clean out the TAB of their complete funds!

The weekend can't be ruined until the last possible moment? And if we win then the working week starts off in the best possible way.

I know a few older Tiger fans diets and they reckon that Dean was moved to the half forward flank to act as a 'Minder' for Royce Hart.

I thought about it but you know what 'thought' did? Busy at work again of course but they were the 3 standouts (and that's with no disrespect to the 3 other picks) It's just what jumps out at you Wadda. And because we now will probably have the choice of 6 picks, picking the eyes out of the 6 should be looked upon as a bonus. And as individuals each one of us wants to deliver a winner and that's another plus. But tradition says we only keep the team score rather than individual strike rates. I also reckon we now don't need to necessarily look for value with our picks. Standout winners only thank you very much!

Seattle, Eagles, Packers

Well we went 3 from 6 today which is a vast improvement on last week (zip) All 3 that got up tightened in the market but 3-1 could be had on Lys Gracieux (BM) & Amangiri early doors. And Master of Wine (DZ) was a moral. I coffee outlay on all 6 races could have returned 10 coffees. And the 3 that won was a standout multi within the multi. Especially Lys Gracieux & Master of Wine. This week 6: 3 - 0 - 0

Lys Gracieux a class above ... thought Castelvecchio had stolen a march with the lightweight but the winner was far too good in the end. Winx-like acceleration over the last 2 furlongs. Seemed like a cleanly run race and there weren't too many hard luck stories.

The Cox Plate field is a very good one too ... much better than the last few years with the skinny fields and Winx dominating. I'm with BM's tip of Lys Gracieux although luck always plays a big part at the Valley. The horse will at least avoid getting locked in on the fence being from an outside barrier. A few of the pundits are predicting that the horse will race on the speed. Class should prevail. My preference is a wide exacta with 1 or 2 value winners and 1 or 2 value runners to get into 2nd. And a 'Spec' F4 just because it could pay a small fortune with the right combo. My value runners are Te Akau Shark, Verry Elleegent, Avilius & Magic Wand. But there are any number of chances with the Japanese horse on top. It is a very good field

Good job Wadda 'Vital Silver' was the one that pushed the exotics right up ... and its form was very good too but was way overs. Finished 2 lengths behind Sunlight & Santa Ana Lane in the Gilgai And its WA form was quite sparkling. We both found the loophole. Gotta love that. Speaking of WA horses ... the grey 'Pounamu' (a former ADATR favourite) is running in the Crystal Mile tomorrow. With Craig Williams on board. 8 years old now but it might get a place. I have to include it in the exotics being an old favourite. A sentimental inclusion though.

Just got the exacta in the Manikato Stakes ... with seconds to spare I included Loving Gaby to win to widen my initial picks. Sometimes you just get that feeling. Great ride by Williams. Bivouac had nowhere to go but that's the Valley. Paid well too. Playing with lots of house money tomorrow now. Beeeeaaaauuuuty!

Gympins got up for 3rd and paid $3.20 for the place Gorg. Wasn't far off winning. The 'Place' multi always has merit I reckon. Put 4 together and the odds can be 25-1 or better. Might try a couple of place combo's at the Valley tomorrow. As well as a coffee on our 6 picks (see above) 1 coffee becomes 2500 coffee's. That's a lot of coffee. Alex Watson territory.

I'm usually early with my tip Wadda but have been absolutely flat out lately. All work and no play! And the 5 picks are all beauty's. It's as if everyone else has read my mind! Like 'em all! Best Bet Saturday Moonee Valley Race 10 No.5 Amangiri (Win) $3.50

You need to have this thread as part of your 'Alerts' Wadda. That's apart from the ADATR thread needing to be your 'Go-To' home page. Who needs google when we're trying to win the folding stuff?

Well I gave everyone the heads up on Haky Wadda! Held on for 3rd. And that's what I was banking on when putting on the trifecta.

Leaderboard in the Tipping Comp 8 - JV7 7 - Dee Zephyr, Go the Biff 5 - Dappa Dan 4 - DeeSpencer, Layzie, Clintosaurus, Gorgoroth, Macca

I rarely, if ever, get the full percentage Gorg but a nice 3 figure return, all the same. Small outley, half decent return is my motto. I really like the Country Cups as betting races. Seem to have the luck in them for some reason.

I got the trifecta in the Cup as I thought 'Haky' might run a bold race so had to include it (as previously stated - see post #3856) O'tauto was a good place bet (in all reality) but you've always got to have a little on for the win. A 3/7 split works ok. Still, Harbour Views looks a horse for the future. Odds too short today though.

I reckon one of the Prince's wins. 'Steel Prince' is looking for the 2400m or more (with Oliver on board) whilst 'Prince of Arran' is the class in the race. Supernova should be thereabouts too. 'Haky' will probably be leading upon settling down and might run a bold race. And with $240k on the line for winning the Geelong Cup they'll all be going all-out for the win.

Replay time ... including a look back at Shadow Hero's win in the Champions Stakes run last week at Randwick (lining the horse up against 'Thought Of That' in the Derby - also replayed) As well as the Caulfield Cup & The Everest.