Macca

I obviously 'meant' conducted tests ... whoever does those tests was never my point. So what do you think about the AFL's token efforts towards PED use? I urune test per year per player ... it might be 2 tests. Do you think the sport is clean?

If WADA had their way the AFL would conduct weekly or fortnightly blood tests (for PED use) As it stands the AFL conducts (on average) 1 urine test per player per year. Which is a token effort.

There's a few decent races coming up at Launceston on Wednesday ... notably races 6, 8 & 9. Damien Oliver is on a couple of fancied runners in races 8 & 9 whilst James Cummings has engaged Etymology in the $250k Launceston Cup - Race 8. Full Card - Launceston Cup Day

The AFL have deliberately gone away from the traditional teams to these 'Marvel' type teams much like CA went away from the State based teams to City based teams in the big bash. Huge opposition at first but now mostly readily accepted DZ. But the thing that stood out for me was how much the players seemed to embrace the whole concept ... you'd expect as much with the broadcasters, the AFL and those others that are connected to the idea but the players seemed to treat AFLX as a bit of fun and their attitude seemed to fit in with what it is. Not that they were fair dinkum as we saw almost no tackling, zero sledging, no hard hits or anything that even resembled real footy. But that's the whole idea - the concept is a deliberate foreign concept much like t20 is to Test cricket. They are looking for a different audience - 2 bites at the cherry with AFL being the other way of attracting a younger audience. I don't like it but it doesn't bother me either.

Here are the numbers for last Friday night ... AFLX way down the list but the event went for 3 hours as opposed to the other shows being of much shorter duration. Don't know what to make of the figures but people reading this thread shouldn't expect anyone to come on here and say that they watched it and liked it. But those numbers far outstrip the numbers that watch 'AFL' in the Northern States. At a guess, I'd say the numbers are big enough for AFLX to continue on ... after all, it's one night only, rather harmless and despite what a few here are saying, it's obviously not a threat to AFL nor is the injury factor a concern at all. Let others like what they want to like I say. I found it to be utterly boring but that's just me ... my opinion is a singular one. I don't speak on behalf of the rest of all others.

6 wins and a 3rd for Zac Purton from 8 rides so far at Sha Tin (he had a well earned cup of tea in race 7 and wasn't engaged) And he is on the favourite in the last race ... should be able to make it 7 wins. How good is that!

My selection still isn't available Wadda so I'll leave it up to you (and others) to throw in a substitute as you see fit (if it doesn't appear soon) That's the trouble with the American sports ... certain games are sometimes not available.

If we see real change in the sport (because of the new rules) then playing another tall forward might become necessary. And another tall forward could mean that player could serve as the 2nd ruck (Preuss) And of course Gawn can play forward whilst Preuss plays in the ruck. But it's all guesswork really as the new rules may not have a profound effect on the sport ... if we see more of the same, Preuss will be used periodically or when applicable. But as @binman and others have mentioned, the play after a behind has been scored might see the game take a new turn. The player standing 20 metres from goal can't necessarily be a slow lumbering type otherwise it's a no-contest for the player using the ball after a behind has been scored. Conversely, if the ball moves rapidly into the forward line from that type of play then having tall marking options in a mismatch situation can become mandatory. Especially if that play happens frequently. With 6-6-6 who knows? We need to see that new rule play out over at least a 3rd of the season before any real data can be put to good use. That data might come earlier but it might take longer to appraise.

Monday Special ... n.b this particular bet may not be available until late arvo today or perhaps the early evening. The dividend should be around about 2.20 (give or take 0.10 - 0.20) NBA Monday 11.30am $2.20 San Antonio (wire to wire*) @ New York Knicks * 'wire to wire' means leading at every change. And here are the other 2 specials ... A combined dividend of around about $18 (non boosted) Good luck everyone

About 18k there apparently (although the AFL will inflate that number) Mostly freebie's you'd reckon. Trying to find the actual TV numbers might be a tricky task too ... depending on what the figure is. Our media might choose to ignore ? As for the spectacle ... utterly boring but each to their own. If others liked it that's their right. A tackle-free jog around could somehow have appeal. Don't ask me how otherwise I will point you towards WWE, ESports, UFC and the like.

Zac Purton has an almost full card up at Sha Tin today and a few of his mounts offer up good each-way value. He's also on a number of favourites and Zac can generally be expected to get a few winners. Often gets his mounts into the finish too (which suits the exotic punters) The tipsters up there follow him as well. Today's Card at Sha Tin Sha Tin Tips And here are the replays of the 3 feature races from yesterday ...

I like the racing up in Sydney but today the track was once again rain affected. And I prefer to bet when the tracks are good or perhaps a Slow5. We tend to like courses where we win so for that reason Moonee Valley & Caulfield are behind Flemington, Randwick & Rosehill as preferred race tracks. I'd put Sha Tin as 4th preference as the racing is truly run up there as well. And the pools are healthy at Sha Tin. Flemington is king but the racing is often truly run at Randwick & Rosehill (especially when the tracks are graded as good) The rivalry factor is of no concern to me. I like watching the best of the best run around regardless of the venue.

I cashed out before the 'Behave' race as I got cold feet Wadda ... just as well too. Multi's just aren't for me - too nerve-wracking! And after consulting my racing bible (I keep a detailed record of all the group races run worldwide) we are indeed at Flemington next week (Australian Guineas a highlight) Up in Sydney Winx runs around again in the Chipping Norton and the Surround Stakes is another headline act (at Randwick) By the way, in terms of readily available info on group racing, my racing bible is way quicker than the internet. Another win for 'Old-school' Best Bet Strike Rate 92: 37 - 14 - 12 Australian Group & Listed Races

And 'Behave' gets pipped by a bees nostril ... I don't how punters can ever win betting on these short-priced favourites. Even in multi's they are a risk (and often part of another donation) Thank goodness for the cash-out option! As it turned out Alizee & Avilius stood above the others today whilst 'Lyre' was another standout pick following on from its last start win. Jury well and truly out on Nature Strip, Zousain & Tassort whilst The Autumn Sun can race a lot better. Might have needed the run though.

I'm always suspect about the shorties in Adelaide ... most of the races are BM64's or BM70's so even the odds-on chances aren't all that good anyway. That's where the expertise of JJ is paramount - I wouldn't bet at Morphettville otherwise. I prefer the tips he gives where he finds a horse that can beat the favourite. I then put a small amount to win or take a small exacta. I turn an ok profit with his picks (generally)

You've just mozzed my chances ... don't you know the rules? I'm continually having to educate you lot! ?

Hope you got on Wadda - ran well did Ace High. Avilius the class act of course ... tracked up nicely behind Trap for Fools and won easily. Another win for the team here ... I used Avilius as a banker for a few multi's but most fell by the wayside. Still got 1 going so here's hoping.

Booker wins the Oakleigh Plate - won well. Nature Strip disappointing - another hot favourite fails to get into the finish. Multi punters are no doubt doing their money by the truckload.

And that's racing mate ... those incidents happen as a matter of course and that's the main reason that I prefer the exotics. With racing, nothing surprises me. And as previously noted here, when we do win those incidents often happen to other horses which helps us win ... again, that's racing.

Had a saver on 'Lyre' so got the collect ... Athiri had every chance but 4th ain't 3rd. There were a number of other disappointments - Loving Gaby, Catch Me, Brooklyn Hustle & Vinicunca amongst them. Felt sure I'd get the exacta but I'll take the win.

For the team yeah ... it's not about me.

Yep ... they ran over 2 seconds faster in the Futurity as opposed to the CF Orr Stakes Wadda. A truly run race where the best horse won (Alizee) And that suited Hartnell as the horse is all class. Won the Epsom last Spring running a very slick 01:32.73 for the mile so there's still a fair bit of life in the old boy. An 'A Day at the Races' favourite without a doubt.

The big boy got up for 3rd ... there's a collect on the place. Nice work Wadda Got it going in the multi as well of course. What a horse is Hartnell! Full credit to Alizee though - the horse is a top rater.

Made hard work of it the champ (The Autumn Sun) ... is it the same horse? Next up is the Randwick Guineas in 2 weeks time. Not sure the horse will start at prohibitive odds though. One might get $3 or a shade better.

Who are these people with all that expendable income? haha The horse (Zousain) was rated nearly 30 points better than its rivals but you'd never know that watching the race. The Autumn Sun next up and its trial form has been ordinary. Should have too much class in this race though.