Macca

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

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.

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

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.