Sport is made for betting

I must admit, I'm in the "there is so much more to a racing season than Cheltenham" camp, but it seems I am very much in the minority. One sharp judge who is very much devoted to it is Kiaran O'Brien, author of the fine novel 'Edge Your Bets'  and a former colleague of mine at Betfair. And after an action-packed few days at Kempton and Leopardstown, he's been inspired to write an early preview... FOOTPAD AND CO TO BRING SOME FESTIVE CHEER – IN A FEW WEEKS HOPEFULLY When I see silly adverts saying 364 days to Christmas the ‘bah humbug’ in me comes to the fore very quickly to such an extent it makes a friend of mine Stu Langley smile from ear to ear. Stu hates this time of year so much he changes his Social Media names to Stu McScrooge. Earlier today I did a date check of my own – 74 days and counting. Seventy-four days, several hours and a couple of minutes to my festive season, one that will see a pilgrimage of a different kind to the sh

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke .  --------------------------- Longines Hong Kong Cup Group 1, 2000m Sha Tin 1630 Local Time, 1930 AEST 0830 BST (ODDS LISTED ARE BEST AVAILABLE) 1 Deauville  (12/1): Ran a shocker at Woodbine in the Mile there, unseen since. Ran third in the Queen Anne in June and also in the Tattersall’s Gold Cup and Arlington Million. Did beat Poet’s Word at Chester in May however the other horse has arguably improved past this one. 2 Neorealism  (5/1): Down the field in Autumn Tenno Sho last time, one of those that despised the soft ground. Won C&D G1 QEII Cup in April under a “magic” ride from Joao Moreira. Trying to complete a unique double, jockey unbeaten on him. 3 Poet’s Word  (8/1): Second in both the Championship races in Ireland and the UK, the l

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke .  ============================== Longines Hong Kong Mile Group 1, 1600m Sha Tin 1550 Local Time, 1850 AEST 750AM BST (ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING) 1 Beauty Only  (13/2): Won this last year in great style but has not won since. Ran a good fourth in the trial but was in better form 12 months ago. 2 Helene Paragon  (7/1): Second in this 12 months ago followed by two G1 victories, was known as Sir Andrew when raced in Europe and trained in Spain, of all places! Hard horse to follow but ran second in the trial. 3 Contentment  (16/1): Got his day in the G1 Champion’s Mile in May over Beauty Only and was then down the track in Japan. Disappointing when first-up and was more than two months ago, question marks. 4 Satono Aladdin

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke .  ====================== Longines Hong Kong Sprint Group 1, 1200m Sha Tin 1440 Local Time, 1740 AEST 0640AM BST (ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING) 1 Mr Stunning  (9/4): G1 runner-up by a neck to Lucky Bubbles earlier in the season. Career best runs, including the trial last time. The one to beat. 2 Lucky Bubbles  (7/2): Hugh Bowman gets on board, won the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize earlier in the season. Unlucky short head second in this last year. Had absolutely no luck in the trial, likely to be in the finish, as per usual. 3 Peniaphobia  (33/1): Second three years ago, won this two years ago and third 12 months ago. One of the pacemakers in this but not going as well as he can. 4 Thewizardofoz  (11/1): Fifth in the trial,

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys,  @WorldRacingLuke . ===================== Longines Hong Kong Vase Group 1, 2400m Sha Tin 1400 Local Time, 1700 AEST 6AM BST (ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING) 1 Highland Reel  (11/4): Old champ that makes his final career start here after racing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, United States of America, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Won this two years ago and second last year. However only third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf last time when ridden a tad different to usual. You had to be a bit disappointed with that as it wasn’t a vintage renewal of the race. All the best to him on his farewell, been a great horse and Europe’s richest ever. 2 Talismanic  (9/2): Maxime Guyon picks up the ride due to Mickael Barzalona being suspended

One of the supporting feature races this evening at Gloucester Park is the time-honoured Golden Nugget for 4yos. That age group might seem a little odd for thoroughbred racing fans but this breed mature later. It has been won by some sensational horses in the past, on the way through to a Grand Circuit career. Last year's winner was Soho Tribeca who lines up as one of the main chances. in the InterDom final Regular contributor Luke Humphreys,  @WorldRacingLuke , takes the reins for the preview... =============== Retravision Golden Nugget Group 1, $200,000AUD 2536m Gloucester Park 2030 local, 2330 AEST, 1230 GMT (ODDS LISTED ARE FORECAST ON HARNESS.ORG WEBSITE) 1 Ultimate Machete  (1/10): G1 New Zealand Free For All Winner in brilliant fashion that won the other 4YO G1 here easily two weeks ago, lucky enough to draw barrier one on both starts at Gloucester Park, will win. 2 Vampiro  (60/1): String of wins come to an end when beaten at Bunbury last time, hard

And now for an alternative perspective on the grand finale, it's harness tragic and budding racecaller, Luke Humphreys,  @WorldRacingLuke . ===================== TABTouch Inter Dominion Grand Final Group 1, $1,100,000AUD 2936m Gloucester Park 1200 BST, 2300 AEST (ODDS LISTED ARE FORECAST ON HARNESS.ORG WEBSITE) 1 Tiger Tara  (9/2): Has been well raced but so consistent, 10 Length second to Lazarus in the New Zealand Cup last year. A huge third in this year’s race, after galloping at the 1000 meter mark. Second in both of his heats at this particular track to Lennytheshark and Chicago Bull, when sitting outside them on both occasions. Beat Lazarus in the Bunbury heat and turned the tables on him but had a much better run. Inside gate helps, will run a big race. 2 Lazarus  (11/10): The superstar harness horse of the southern hemisphere, and the best pacer in the world. 32 wins from 39 starts with seven placings says it all. Easy winner of his second NZ Cup in a ro

The InterDominion, I love it. The mightiest test of a standardbred horse, three rounds heats and a final over just 15 days, horses need to be as tough as old boots and stay sound. It's a carnival I've been to numerous times but unfortunately being stuck on this side of the equator these days, it has been quite a while now (2004) since I last attended. But that won't stop me previewing what looks to be a cracker of a final. For those not so familiar with the layout of Gloucester Park, it is a flat circuit with minimal camber with a distinct advantage to the inside, particularly the leader. Approximately 800m (straight only 143m) around with nine horses off the front row on a mobile start, it's a great venue on a warm summer night. It's also the last of the Australian metropolitan trotting tracks with an inner-city location. It's that venue you see over the back of the WACA during the cricket coverage. ---------------------------------------------------