Macca

It's a terrific go-to listing isn't it! Whilst the racing calendar might seem like a chaotic schedule to non-aficionados, that link to all the Group races makes sense of it all. I especially like the write-ups for the Group 1's or Group 2's where it's mentioned how the acceptors arrived at those races via certain lead-up races. That stuff helped me at the Ascot Carnival. I'll try and remember to copy & paste the link every time we go to a new page. It's going to be quite a challenge coming up with our 'best bets' ... I've done that sort of thing with mates before putting a trifecta/first 4 together but not so much with multi betting. I might end up trying to find something at Rosehill (early doors) So where does everyone have the most luck/best results? I much prefer Flemington/Randwick/Rosehill but I've had a few decent collects at Caulfield/Moonee Valley. I like Ascot (WA) but have only had sporadic bets at Eagle Farm/Doomben/Morphettville. But because the Demons rarely ever play on a Saturday arvo (2 games this season) the Qld & SA carnivals could well be front & centre this time around. Sha Tin for the big events is becoming a favourite too (especially when they race there on a Sunday) And the big races from Europe have great appeal - I kinda like the thought of having a trifecta or 2 in those big European races and then waking up on a Sunday morning with a healthier account!

Yep, spot on. That race (The Everest) has just been accepted as part of the landscape straight off. With that sort of money on offer it's bound to attract the connections of a number of the International horses (including a few that ran at Sha Tin today) Anyway, I posted up the following link (see below) a couple of months ago but here it is again ... click on any of the races for a summary and a write-up of how each of the races are often stepping stones to the other bigger races. There's actually a bit on next weekend Wadda ... a prelude of better things to come. . Australian Group & Listed Races

I was testing the water a bit on this thread mentioning Mr Stunning & Werther. I doubt anyone was going to back Mr Stunning at those prohibitive odds but Werther was worth a gamble. Mind you, the TAB didn't have the races from Sha Tin up until this morning and they didn't offer any fixed odds either - typical. Another point on the 'Best Bet' ... if I really like any of the choices I'm going to try and say as much. That way, we can extra opinions on a horses chances if we end up with 5 - 8 choices and want to narrow it down.

It's a system that can give constant returns and the odd decent return (Small field/Group 1) Mr Stunning needed to run out of a place for a good dividend. I usually like to go 3-5-5 or 2-6-6 when there's a hot favourite involved. Or just avoid the race altogether. Both feature races were keenly contested and Werther raced well for 3rd in the Stewards Cup (paid 3.30 - that's ok in a multi) By the way, in the sprint race the trainer was in charge of the first 3 placegetters so maybe it was time for the 'Pin' to win! Hmmmmmm - That's an old 'Hayes' play (through the generations) 2 of the horses to watch out for (down the track) from the 2 Group 1 races are ''Beat the Clock' & 'Fifty Fifty'. Both were stepping up to Group 1 , both placed and were running home very well. Anyway, doubling one's outlay is never a bad thing D77! And with regards to our best bets I'll try and post up some links to some of the quaddie races sometime during the week - there's 3 or 4 decent races (SW / WFA) next weekend that are worth a look at. The weekend after that it all begins in earnest!

It's my reckoning that the horse will run 3 races in Sydney during the Autumn Carnival and then head off to Europe to contest those 3 races it has been possibly earmarked for. 4 races in either hemisphere is too many if that's the plan. After that they'll either retire the horse or it might possibly run in one more Cox Plate. It's either/or but I favour the former argument. Which would be a shame because if it could win a 4th Cox Plate it would be a fantastic thing to happen.

My first Cup Day in attendance was way back in 1976 - pelted down all day but I backed the winner (Van Der Hum) ... so crowded that we didn't even see the race. Those were the days! Anyway, it would have to be a super horse to win the Melbourne Cup 4 times. And it would probably have to win the race as a 3yo to have any chance. You never know, it's a real long shot but it may happen. Winx could win the Cox Plate for a 4th time (that would be a record?) but I'm not sure it will ever contest the race again. Think I'm right in saying that Winx is a 6 year old (right now) so it would be a 7 year old next Spring.

Winx is possibly more of a mile horse at it's optimum best these days Wadda - of course, it often brains them at 2000m but perhaps not always as convincingly as it once did (it just lasted in last year's Cox Plate) The connections of Winx have earmarked 3 races in Europe which it may contest (if it goes over there) - 2 are over the 1600m & only 1 is over the 2000m. Think I'm right in saying that Makybe Diva nearly won an Orr Stakes (1400m) yet we all know how good the horse was as a stayer. The great 1600m horses can also be great at 1400m ... but all the way down to 1200m? Maybe. But we are talking about Winx and the Everest will carry prizemoney of $12Million this year (man, that's a lot of money) Manikato was a great mile horse but would often drop down to 1200m and win.

Great idea D77 - I'm all in. The tipping comp in the NFL thread does help maintain interest (and that was the original purpose) It does work. We could also just simply use our 'Best Bet' as our pick in the tipping comp - serves 2 purposes that way. 3-2-1 as you indicated but what happens if we nominate our best bet for the place only? (which I might be apt to do) To avoid any sorts of issues, the tip (in a tipping comp) should have to be for the win. The key to a tipping comp is to keep it as simple as possible - you don't ever want to be spending too much time deciphering too much information. Btw, my reckoning on a place bet is that I have to genuinely believe that the horse can win as well. 'Werther' in today's Stewards Cup at Sha Tin is a case in point.

Well ... it's a strange thing about the smaller pools (as long as they're not too small) - sometimes the exotic dividends are higher than you'd calculate. Certain horses that are decent can be passed over in smaller pools. Especially in the group races overseas there are some very good horses that blow out in the odds (W & P) so those same horses may also often not get included in the exotics. By the same token the popular combo's can pay a bit less (because most are on them?) I obviously bank on best case scenario with my multiples whilst at the same time not ignoring the popular combo's - that largely explains why I often just get money back or a bit more or less. There's a bit of money wagered at Sha Tin as a general rule - the money comes late though. Not sure on Europe as I have historically only ever had the odd bet there (that may change this year ) I only ever bet at the TAB and they don't often cover the races from Japan. We've got the triple crown from the States to consider as well - I love those 3 races.

If you don't hear back from the OP you could ask the mods, Wadda. Anyway, I'm off to get on at Sha Tin. The Centenary Sprint Cup looks to be 'Mr Stunning's to lose. Should win and the early markets reflect that. By contrast The Stewards Cup is a wide open affair where any number of horses can feature - should be a great race. The prizemoney on offer in both races is huge. Hugh Bowman (who rode at Warwick Farm on Friday!) is on a Werther in the Stewards Cup (it is at good odds and a definite chance) whilst Nash Rawiller is on Mr Stunning. Zac Purton & Brett Prebble are both riding today at HK as well. The free-to-air racing channel is covering the event. For me the Group 1 racing is like watching the big teams in world sport go at each other - but for high interest you've got to at least have a small wager on the Group 1's

'A Day at the Races' has a friendly feel to it ... and it almost says to people to not take things too seriously. Bet with expendable income only has always been my motto as well as always drink responsibly and try not to smoke. We can have a lot of fun here and during our winter I fully intend to introduce (or reintroduce) people to the wonderful racing on offer in Europe. There are often 2 or 3 Group 1 races every week where we see the best of the best (the creme de la creme!) Hopefully the free-to-air racing channel covers these big events but there's always youtube (the big races from Europe are often posted up a few hours later) So as the Autumn carnival finishes here we've got the choice of the Queensland & South Australian carnivals or the big races across Europe. Which leads us into the Spring Carnival again and then Ascot/Magic Millions. It never stops!

People will know what it means and it's a bit different ... I'll vote for it but the majority rules. Good idea Wadda ... there's no rush. And in the meantime we can absolutely decide on a name for the horse racing thread. A general sports betting thread is a good idea as well - I'd contribute my 2 cents worth with regards to the NBA or the NFL. You've got my vote to start up both threads (unless we can change the name of this thread)

What can be an issue if we're not specific is that people can start talking about other stuff that doesn't appeal. Personally I would scroll straight past any chatter about Greyhound racing, fantasy sports of any description, betting against the Demons etc etc. Leave me right out of that stuff. After reading what @binman had to say above we definitely need a new thread ... the name of this one leads to people just ignoring because they probably see it as irrelevant. So @Wadda We Sing ... you kick it off mate if everyone agrees. We just need a name - I've suggested my 2 ('The Horse Racing Thread' or 'All Things Horse Racing') but I'm not completely sold on either. 'A Day at the Races' ... 'Lose Your Shirt' ... 'It's a Mug's Game' ha ha

We can still start a new thread Wadda ... What about ... 'The Horse Racing Thread' or 'All Things Horse Racing' For general sports betting ... 'The Sports Betting Thread' There is nothing wrong with having separate threads ... we do it here with entertainment (Music x 2, Television, Movies) and a stack of different sports have their own thread (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Cricket, Cycling etc etc) The Thoroughbreds deserves it's own thread!

I'd prefer to talk about the thoroughbreds only as I don't just see it as a betting sport only. Especially during the carnivals I'd prefer to only read about what's going on with the races. I reckon we could have 2 threads - general sports betting (needs a name) & a thread for thoroughbred horse racing only (needs a name)

First in best dressed? I have always felt that the best bet just comes to you. I usually look at about 8 races most weekends during the carnivals to see where I can find a 'value' trifecta. I end up eliminating races if I find too many horses that can win or ... if 1 horse stands out. And there lies my way of finding a best bet. It's a process of elimination. But I will rarely have a bet on that horse because the odds are often too low - but including the horse in a multi is different. For instance ... in the Centenary Sprint Cup tomorrow at Sha Tin I expect the no.1 horse to win (Mr Stunning) I might normally dismiss the race as a betting race but I like to have a wager on the Group 1 races because I know I will be tuning in to watch.

A lot of the feature races over the Autumn are in the Quaddie legs (both in Sydney and in Melbourne) However, we may end making our best bets in either City over the Carnival (which extends to 11 weekends btw) In that case a multi is applicable. I'll do a shout out midweek to those others who have contributed previously in this thread from time to time (Toorak, Diamond_Jim, Clintosaurus, ProperDee) I reckon 5 or 6 choices is an ideal number to work from - however, a 3 or 4 leg multi is often the better workable maximum. You can't get too greedy with these sorts of things. Regardless, I reckon we'll snag our fair share of collects.

Bad luck on that quaddie fellas - wasn't a huge dividend though so that's some comfort. You never want to go that close and miss out on 4 figures. I've saved my bickies for Sha Tin tomorrow ... there's at least 7 horses that can get into the finish in the G1 Stewards Cup (Race 8) so it should be a great mile race. However, I'm not confident of getting the right combo in a trifecta in that race so will instead have a go at the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (Race 7) 1, 2 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 is my preferred 2-5-5 outcome in a trifecta. The favourite no.1 (Mr Stunning) should win but I'm hoping that the 2 (D B Pin) can beat it out to the finish. It's only an 8 horse field but the right combo can still pay alright.

They started early today because of the heat - you could always do a parlay with the rest of your tips. Or multi it up with 1 or 2 races at Rosehill.

Yep ... with Tracy Harvey on the right. Con Marasco & Trev Marmalade are probably in the clip somewhere as well. You got the first leg up in the quaddie I see there Wadda - 5, 4 & 1 was the result. I picked it in one in a post above! (in order) The punters curse - shouda, couda, wouda!

I do know one thing ... there are more than just 5 or 6 punters on 'land! Sooner or later they'll be attracted to the thread or just stumble upon it by happenstance. And everyone loves a tip! But the thread does need a new name - any of your suggestions or any other relevant name will do. The mods would probably need to change it but if it can't be done then 'Spring Carnival Caulfield' might just have to do. Speaking of 'Punter to Punter', I was a real fan of the RRR show back in the day - Tracy Harvey (Tammy?), Slim Whittle, Dr Turf, Con Marasco, Trevor Marmalade et al were simply great and highly entertaining. Here's a blast from the past from the RRR crew ...

Weir is certainly a character ... and an excellent trainer. You often can't afford to leave out any of his horses. Some jockeys are like that too (Bowman rode 2 winners yesterday) Anyway, with regards to posting up a tip, I will almost certainly stick to the group races and in those races there is often a standout horse at non-prohibitive odds ... again, the place odds only can also be tempting. If we by chance end up with 5 or 6 legs then every add-on can often keep at least doubling the total odds. And we can even leave something out of the multi if it doesn't appeal - each individual has a choice. As it stands, it might just be 3 or maybe 4 picks but that's ok. I also reckon that it can't be a compulsory thing either - we either as individuals put in a tip in any given week or we don't. We all get caught up doing other things and it's not always possible to read up on the form and then post up a tip. Good punting to all !

It's an exciting time ... however, your team has been high in contention from the get-go. The Packers made a late run at it in 2010/11 so it was a constant 'lose-or-go-home attitude. It was only when we got to the SB that I genuinely believed we could win it. And we beat a great team (Pittsburgh) to cap it all off. The Foles thing has been the red-herring. No one was foreseeing what has transpired. That's the magical bit. Written off as a questionable stand-in, Foles can be the hero.

Ha ha! Of course we find out after the event that Weir thought the horse could have been a bit underdone - tell us beforehand please Darren! That race was really tricky - in the end I liked Brave Smash as well but a case could have been made for any of the 6 horses to win. The Tri & F4 in that race were healthy dividends, all things considered. Anyway, my take on offering a tip for a multi would be that if I can't see anything jumping out at me, I'll refrain. I don't like to guess. But apart from keeping the thread ticking over, it gives us a chance to combine our thoughts for a possible profit. 2 heads are better than 1 and all that, D77.

Each club has got 168 million to spend ... the good clubs will anticipate losing players but will endeavour to replace those players with better players. Free Agency, trading, a well managed salary cap and the draft allows a club to recover very quickly from what might seem like doom & gloom. However, there is still the odd team that are too draft conscious or are free-agency shy. Even so, Belichick keeps moving the goalposts - he's gone away from drafting (somewhat) and now often prefers to trade for talent. He's about the right-now but a lot of the great coaches often are (in other sports as well - especially soccer) They are going to be tough to beat in the Super Bowl but if you can knock them off it will be memorable (much like the Eli & the Giants wins are seen as memorable) But the Eagles only have to do it once. Just one time.