Macca

My pattern is often similar Wadda ... I usually come home strong. I might just cut out the slow starts by cutting out the early stuff! There's a thought ? In other news you'd reckon that 'Mystic Journey' would get a run in the All Star Mile after winning the Guineas today and so might 'Fifty Stars' ... Hartnell as well?

For a moment there ... but in the end Winx ran a sizzling 01:33.27 and did it on the bit Happy Clapper picks up a lazy $114k for the connections for what looked like a bit of a jog-around. Unforgotten a fair way back to 3rd.

What has been really noticeable today is the drifting in the market by horses that were previously at the top of the market ... I've got a few winners up but I've missed on the odds.

Same as last week ... got the 'saver' winner and also got the exacta but the team misses on 'Extra Brut' - I'm picking the team says ugh and sighs. Could have gone for a shortie and that would have been 'She's so High' in race 3 so may re-evaluate my pick going forward.

2 from 2! Team 'ADATR' well in front at half time

It feels like the late afternoon with the races at Flemington ... just gone 1.00pm and we're heading into race 6 already.

Got my copy alright BM ... my local newsagent shut down a little while ago as is the growing trend so now have to go elsewhere. I have a connection to the managing editor of WP as I played cricket with his brother for quite some time. Still a great publication but I especially like the feature articles including the overseas write-ups. The 'Backtrack' section is fascinating too ... not included of late though for some reason.

Best Bet Flemington Race 8 No.1 Extra Brut $4.80 (Place)

The All Star Mile if Johannes Vermeer wins tomorrow? Probably gets a wild-card if so. Apparently the horse is ready-to-go and is being well supported Wadda. Gets in extra well in the weights tomorrow and is a Group level performer. I was tempted to make it my best bet but have it included the horse in an exacta instead. Otherwise the horse would be aimed at a possible quick back-up in The Australian Cup next week or perhaps the Ranvet (2000m Group 1) at Rosehill in late March (23rd) ... and then the 2000m QEII Stakes (Winx) or the $2Million Sydney Cup (run on the same day - April 13th)

There are any number of feature races right across Australia on the weekend ... 3 x Group 1's, 4 x Group 2's, 4 x Group 3's & 7 x Listed Races. The majority of the Black-type races are at Flemington & Randwick but Morphettville, Ascot & Doomben also have their own feature races. Winx runs around again in the Chipping Norton whilst the Australian Guineas, Surround Stakes, Blamey Stakes & Guy Walter Stakes are also standout races with quality fields throughout. Racenet Form Guide

Just checked in Wadda Found out late that Etymology was flown in last night but it was supposed to be flown in last Friday evening. Not sure what happened there but they might have been better off saving the horse for Saturday (it was entered for the Roy Higgins Quality - race 2) Eastender won to complete the Cups treble (Hobart, Devonport, Launceston) whilst Lamborghini ran 3rd. Oliver's mount not in the finish and Etymology weakened badly. Forgive run though. But Eastender is worth following for the upcoming Country Cups. It is not a bad horse and is very honest.

You're right, there's not much there (although there was a few years ago) Found this article but I think if the figure was North of 1500 tests per year these days there would be some sort of recent internet history pointing us that way. And with 700+ players in the system, the average wouldn't be more than 2 tests per year. And they aren't blood tests (which is another issue) By the way, the reason I've brought PED use into the conversation is that I see a correlation & connection between illicit drugs & performance enhancing drugs. Just my opinion but the dealers would be dealing both so why wouldn't those seeking these drugs seek both? AFL targets stars for performance-enhancing drugs testing (May 2011)

Bottom line ... They may as well shut WADA down ... a miniscule organisation with no teeth. Not their fault either ... it is just the way it is LDvC.

Try google - you'll have your answer in no time.

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 ...