Macca

Here's the full race card for Royal Ascot tonight ... Royal Ascot Tuesday 19th June

3 Group 1's but I may just have a couple of doubles involving Race 1 (The Queen Anne Stakes) & Race 4 (St James Palace Stakes)  Aiden O'Brien has 5 runners all-up in both Group 1's and at least 4 of the 5 could feature in the finish. 

Race 3 (King's Stand Stakes 1000m) is the race that Merchant Navy & Redkirk Warrior were withdrawn from so as to race in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes 1200m $1Million  ... 'Kachy' at $12 represents decent each way value in the race - was beaten less than half a length to Battaash in a Group 2 at it's last start.  The favourite (Lady Aurelia) is a very speedy horse though.  

I've got 'Fetch TV' so no issues my way.  Got it super cheap too as I was already an Optus customer with internet & home phone.  But I sympathise with those using a streaming service - they should be offering refunds as well as a written apology.

But I do have a real issue with VAR ... use it for everything or don't use it.  The adjudicating has already reached farcical levels and we're less than a week into the tournament. 

Don't get me wrong,  I'm not blaming the match referee on the ground and I'm all for video replays in any sport as long as it's feasible (you wouldn't bother with AFL on everyday decisions)

It's like VAR has its own limits as to how many incidents it wants to take a close look at ... obvious penalties are ignored whilst minor infringements are brought to light.  It is all over the place. 

 

8 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

“Fiesta” time in Russia.

The Mexicans have a knack of performing  during the group stages and we have our first real shock of the tournament. We shouldn’t be surprised though as the Mexicans have some world class players and questions are now being asked of the Germans. 

Brazil, Argentina, Spain have all dropped points and France can count themselves lucky but they have the 3 points when other top seeds failed. 

You’d expect them all to bounce back though. Plenty of drama in these early stages which sets up an intriguing finish to the first round.

What we do know now DZ is that the winners of at least 5 or 6 groups will probably be undecided going into the 3rd round of games in the Groups ... Spain,  Portugal,  Germany,  Brazil,  Argentina and a few other countries may well have to win their last game's in their respective groups to progress or win their group's. 

And if Belgium and/or England & Sweden don't win tonight those teams will be in the same boat.  Of course,  all the round 3 games are played at the same time within each group so there's no room for any shenanigans or skulduggery ?

A few replays from the weekend (including the French Oaks) ...

Ipswich Cup  2150m  Group 3

Eye Liner Stakes  1350m  Group 3

 

 

 

Just now, Dee Zephyr said:

Macca, Macca, Macca. I’m a Bears fan mate. ?

Haven’t followed the NFL as closely the last few years but enjoyed the rivalry over the years. 

Anyway, back on topic. Do you find some of our horses are under the odds over here when they race overseas?

A Bears fan ... well,  what can I say other than the 2 biggest encounters in any given season is when my Packers face Chicago.  It might be the biggest old school rivalry in the NFL too.  Wadda is a Packers fan too so you might need to enlist some outside support! 

And yeah,  we can expect our Aussie horses to be under the odds but I will be looking at the exotics as I normally do ... the pools should be big enough for the trifecta at least.  Not so sure on a First4 though.

It's a week out but here's the early field,  form guide and odds for next Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes 1200m $1Million ... the field will be reduced but they run down the straight over the 6 & 8 Furlongs at Royal Ascot.  Click on any horse for it's latest form. 

But it all starts late Tuesday evening with 3 Group 1's -  Ascot Tuesday 19th July - Full Race Card  ... I might have a few 'interest' trifectas in the Group 1's as I'm now a bit more familiar with a few of the horses.  More so races 1 & 4 on Tuesday.  Just hoping the pools are half decent.  Top Hats & Tails will abound. 

The Free-to-air racing channel is covering the 5 day Royal Ascot carnival from 10.30pm ... beginning Tuesday evening. 

2 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Seriously tho....if you follow Melbourne and the Socceroos, you need your head examined. You must love torture and disappointment, and you seriously deserve a medal.

Lets hope we smash Denmark and/or Chile......and Port.

I follow the Socceroos by default Wadda ... just like the Wallabies,  the Test Team & ODI International team,  all the Olympic teams in various team sports and even the Kangaroos at Rugby League International level.  Then there's the Green Bay Packers & Boston Red Sox.  Every now and then one of the teams gets up and wins something ?

And then of course there's any racehorse with even the tiniest/remotest connection to Australia - racing overseas ... go Aussie!  (even if it's a horse)

So I'm all in with Redkirk Warrior & Merchant Navy over the next month in the UK!  Could they go 1-2 next Saturday at Ascot?  Trifecta time for me!

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Matthews played in a different era when the way he played was not uncommon. There were outright thugs who couldn't play football (defamation laws prevent me from naming anyone, but I'll just leave  John Greening's name here as someone on the receiving end), brilliant footballers who weren't at all thuggish (Robert Flower, for example) and many who were both. Matthews - who was both - got away with it because the game allowed it, or, at least, turned a blind eye to it.

Whether Jack Watts could have made it in that era we'll never know. But I'm sure he would have found the game far more challenging than today's version.

Robbie would be compelled to play a different 'role' in today's footy whilst Jack could have played as a tall wingman back in the day.  Might have gone alright too. 

Sylvia is another who was better suited to footy in those decades ... just playing on one opponent on a HFF would have seen Sylvia dominate.in my opinion.  Pre-season's back in the 70's also involved a barrel or 2 on a pleasant Sunday arvo.  Bliss for many.

And Hogan playing as a pure full forward would probably see him have multiple 100 goal seasons.  Back in the day. 

A different era and in many ways a different sport.

n.b.  Australia are playing Denmark next Thursday evening at 10pm (AEST)

 

 

Podcasts ...

BBC World Cup Daily

The Guardian World Cup Football Daily

 

Here are the games coming up over the next week ... SBS televised games are in dark italics.  SBS are also showing a one hour highlights package from 5.30pm daily.

 

All times AEST ...

 

Sunday, June 17:

Costa Rica v Serbia, Samara (10pm)

 

 

Monday, June 18:

Germany v Mexico, Moscow (Luzhniki) (1am)

Brazil v Switzerland, Rostov-on-Don (4am)

Sweden v South Korea, Nizhni Novgorod (10pm)

 

Tuesday, June 19:

Belgium v Panama, Sochi (1am)

Tunisia v England, Volgograd (4am)

Colombia v Japan, Saransk (10pm)

 

Wednesday, June 20:

Poland v Senegal, Moscow (Spartak) (1am)

Russia v Egypt, Saint Petersburg (4am)

Portugal v Morocco, Moscow (Luzhniki) (10pm)

 

Thursday, June 21:

Uruguay v Saudi Arabia, Rostov-on-Don (1am)

Iran v Spain, Kazan (4am)

Australia v Denmark  Samara (10pm)

 

 

Friday, June 22: 

France v Peru, Yekaterinburg (1am)

Argentina v Croatia, Nizhni Novgorod (4am)

Brazil v Costa Rica, Saint Petersburg (10pm)

Here is what I don't necessarily believe (or believe at all) ...

• That the AFL had to rubber-stamp the appointment of Pert
• That PJ wasn't involved in the decision making process
• That Pert is not the correct appointment
• That there is some sort of mythical rift between Bartlett & Jackson
• That our current board can't be trusted in making good sound decisions

There are a lot of assumptions being made without any proof-positive evidence to back up those assumptions.  All things considered the club is in a sound financial position and our last 5 annual reports back that up.  And the current CEO is responsible for the last 5 annual reports (apart from this year)

I wish Gary Pert all the best and the good news for him is that we almost certainly are ready for some sustained growth.  Winning more games than you lose has always been the key and a good basis to work from. 

Previously,  I've held an almost polar-opposite view to the above.

10 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

Messi's penalty hit was poor, didn't look at all confident on the approach. 

Great effort from the Icelanders, but can't help but feel like we also deserved a point today. 

Agree with Fos that there was one camera angle which showed we got a touch on the ball on the French penalty, and agree with others that the hand-ball could easily have been a red.

VAR aside, thought we played pretty well after a nervy start and should approach the remaining group games with confidence. 

Very jealous of you @Diamond_Jim - the Aussie support looked and sounded strong!!   

Apparently it can only be a yellow card (although there was no yellow card given out) because the ball was not heading towards goal.

But the infringing player was on his own 5 metres from goal and another player may well have been able to head the ball in or slot the ball in with his foot if the ball wasn't deflected by the players hand.  Was the player waving to the crowd?

To me it should be a red card ruling because the act is absolutely deliberate and maybe even premeditated.  And I'd be arguing just as fiercely if an Aussie had committed the act.

Is it any different to what Maradona did?  Ok, one is an attacking player and the other is a defender but it's the same act.

VAR missed a penalty given away in the Argentina/Iceland game too ... Argentina can count themselves to be very very unlucky despite the sentiment given towards Iceland.  Again,  I'm not blaming the referee,  he doesn't get the benefit of replay and has to make a split-second decision.  Mistakes will happen under those circumstances. 

That was an amazing defensive performance by Iceland ... Argentina threw everything at them but just couldn't find a way through to find a winner. 

Iceland were super-disciplined and they just refused to yield.  Messi was trying to beat 3 or 4 players all game and to his credit,  he played one hell of a game (albeit missing a penalty)

But Iceland get a vital point and a fully deserved point too. 

So Spain and now Argentina only get a point from their opening games ... that gives real hope for the other teams in their respective groups

Messi could get amongst it here but the Icelanders are plucky.  They (Iceland) showed great form in the last Euro's and will be up for the challenge. 

Hope we get to see the 'Viking Clap' at some stage ... it's their motto and any imitation just doesn't cut it.

1 hour ago, Dee Zephyr said:

I was under the same impression Macca.

VAR was comprehensive during the A-League season not only reviewing the play in question but also ruling on other infringements cited during the review such as players being sanctioned for pushing/holding behind the play.

It seemed to me they went to VAR to confirm the handball but strangely forgot about the sanction.

I'm surprised that the panel back in Oz are not outraged ... you can't just be satisfied with winning the penalty.  Anyway,  what happens the next time it happens?  A player gets sent off?

I am not one to ever complain about decisions made by umpires & referees ... they are often in a no-win situation and they don't have an inbuilt replay system inside their heads. 

But they've brought in VAR and then it's not used properly or not used in a consistent fashion.  Why have it?

The French were the better team but do they score again if they were down to 10 men?

France were the marginally better team anyway but we were far from disgraced. 

We can get points in our remaining 2 games ... forget the rankings, Peru & Denmark are not that good and are beatable.

6 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

 Bizarre really. He didn’t even receive a yellow. I’ve seen red cards for less.

Isn't VAR there to spot these things? 

VAR alerted the referee with regards to the penalty to the French (earlier) so why not alert the referee with regards to a seemingly deliberate hand ball in the penalty box? 

I was under the impression that VAR rulings were of a comprehensive manner.  Unless I'm wrong on that understanding?

Just now, Earl Hood said:

It’s one all! 

The French guy should have been red-carded ... deliberate hand-ball?

We did well to hold them out and the scoreline suits Australia more than the French.  And we've looked dangerous with the few times we've gone deep forward.  The French have been lazy going forward however. 

Cahill will come on around 60-65 minutes in you'd reckon.

1 minute ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Took Pounamu plc into Australia V France Draw...into Storm. Wishful thinking.

The $1.60 the place for Pounamu was almost a certainty so good luck with the other 2 legs Wadda ... I've got a 1-1 draw in the Aus/Fra game going for some bonus bets at Laddies.  Cost me nothing - that's my kind of bet!  

 

1 hour ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Hows our strike rate looking Macca?

1 from 3 today! ... although I got another decent collect with 'I'm a Rippa' 

I'll scroll back and figure it out in the next few days Wadda.  Not sure we would have got the trifecta in the Ipswich Cup but we would have nailed the trifecta in the Hyperion Stakes in WA - paid 9 bucks. ha ha.

Pounamu didn't show a lot of dash but Material Man was just too good anyway ... the pundits over there were saying that both horses could be in Melbourne for the Spring. 

Pounamu is a better horse at Ascot but the connections are hoping that the horse can get into the Caulfield Cup field - needs to find that finishing burst it had in December though.  It's still only a 6 year old and maybe the horse needs it longer.  It will almost certainly run in the WFA Strickland Stakes over 2000m in 2 weeks time so keep an eye out.

Just now, Dee Zephyr said:

I really have to stop mentioning other horses when I nominate my “Best”. ?

Apologies fellas, I missed the boat with “Lite’n In My Veins”.

No worries DZ  - we just don't know when a horse needs a spell sometimes ... happens a lot.

This time last year the horse was running in the series of Group 3's in WA but I reckon they'll freshen the horse up for the Spring in Melbourne. 

We had the first 2 in the Eye Liner but missed 3rd ... back to the drawing board. 

And Lite 'n' In My Viens looked threatening but needs a spell now you'd reckon.  We got on at the wrong time but that's racing for you.  It's a good horse,  all the same. 

5 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Thanks Macca. Had no luck last start and was due. That certainly was a great finish though.....BANG!

Looks a real horse ... the trainer was talking about the Lightning Stakes down the track.  Goes for a spell now until the Spring. 

4 hours ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Best Bet Mooney Valley  Race 7 No 2 Miss Leonidas TAB price $2.90

Thanks Wadda!   Miss Leonidas absolutely streeted them - definitely one for the black book down the track.  A bit better than winter-grade. 

Laddies were kind enough to hand me some bonus bets so I loaded up on our 3 tips. 

That's a good start to the afternoon!

1 minute ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Just saw an ad for Tosen Stardom standing at stud!? wtf? Guess it comes out of the Black Book under 2000m now!

There are any number of good horses that you don't hear of again ... from one season to the next they are either retired without any fanfare or the retirement isn't public knowledge.

And sometimes the horse might have an ailment and then suddenly reappear after being off the scene for yonks.  'Black Heart Bart' is another who is off the scene for whatever reason but it's a long list Wadda.  

The Spain/Portugal game was an absolute beauty.  The draw might feel like a win for Portugal and a loss for Spain from their own point's of view.

Here are the goals from the game