InterDominion Final preview #2

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 row by five and three quarter lengths, meaning he has won both of his two NZ Cup’s by nearly 16 lengths! Only second in his first two heats to Soho Tribeca, when something seemed amiss and Tiger Tara, but was able to find the front and win unextended last week and deserves to be favourite from the draw. Would arguably be the best named winner in the 76 year history of the Inter Dominion if able to score.

3 Vultan Tin (100/1): One of the fairy tales of the race with this horse able to run third, fourth and sixth in his heats to get a spot in the prestigious final for owner, breeder, trainer Phil Costello. Whilst he is no chance, all the best to connections. Was a big run last week, has been terrific throughout series.

4 Soho Tribeca (11/2): Has been one of the stars of the series beating Lazarus on night one, followed by an all the way win at Bunbury and was huge when beaten a meter by San Carlo after doing all the work last week

5 Galactic Star (2/1): Caused the upset of the series so far when winning during Round 2 at Bunbury after having a nice economical run. Ran respectfully in the Victoria Cup but not good enough.

6 Lennytheshark (12/1): Won the final two years ago after sitting in the breeze. Was sixth the season prior and was scratched from the final last year after racing poorly in his latter heats. He has done the same this year, and it has to be said there are question marks especially from the draw.

7 San Carlo (40/1): Sad to see him draw seven as he would’ve been a live chance if drawing well, from this draw he will need luck, wouldn’t mind backing him for next year’s series in Melbourne though. Good luck to connections.

8 Shandale (125/1): Despite beating Soho Tribeca and Chicago Bull at G2 level in October, he looks badly tested to hold form with them from this draw, ok throughout the series. Best run was at Bunbury when fourth after breezing.

9 Have Faith In Me (50/1): Officially the fastest horse in the Southern Hemisphere after his 2016 Miracle Mile win. Apparently this is his last run for Mark Purdon before going to the USA. Awesome second to Lazarus last week, will need a similar if not better performance here from the draw.

10 Chicago Bull (3/1): Winner of both the Fremantle and WA Cups as a 4YO last season. Unbeaten in his two heats here at Gloucester Park. One of the chances with some luck. Connections have won the race before.

11 Ohoka Punter (EMG1):

12 Devendra (EMG1):

13 Major Crocker (EMG1):

14 The Bucket List (EMG1):

Ratings: (2) LAZARUS - (4) SOHO TRIBECA - (1) TIGER TARA - (7) SAN CARLO - (9) HAVE FAITH IN ME – (10) CHICAGO BULL - (5) GALACTIC STAR - (6) LENNYTHESHARK - (3) VULTAN TIN - (8) SHANDALE

Spot-fixing - you will never, ever be able to stop it

According to this report , IPL tournaments so far have been rife with spot-fixing - that is fixing minor elements of the game - runs in a single over, number of wides bowled etc. The curious part of that article is that the Income Tax department are supposed to have found these crimes. What idiot would be stupid enough to put down 'big wad of cash handed to me by bookie' as a source of income? Backhanders for sportsmen, particularly in a celebrity- and cricket-obsessed culture like India are not rare. They could come from anything like turning up to open someone's new business (not a sponsor, but a 'friend of a friend' arrangement), to being a guest at some devoted fan's dinner party etc. The opportunities are always there, and there will always be people trying to become friends with players and their entourage - that is human nature. This form of match-fixing (and it's not really fixing a match, just a minor element of it) is very hard to prove, but also,

It's all gone Pete Tong at Betfair!

The Christmas Hurdle from Leopardstown, a good Grade 2 race during the holiday period. But now it will go into history as the race which brought Betfair down. Over £21m at odds of 29 available on Voler La Vedette in-running - that's a potential liability of over £500m. You might think that's a bit suspicious, something's fishy, especially with the horse starting at a Betfair SP of 2.96. Well, this wasn't a horse being stopped by a jockey either - the bloody horse won! Look at what was matched at 29. Split that in half and multiply by 28 for the actual liability for the layer(s). (Matched amounts always shown as double the backers' stake, never counts the layers' risk). There's no way a Betfair client would have £600m+ in their account. Maybe £20 or even £50m from the massive syndicates who regard(ed) Betfair as safer than any bank, but not £600m. So the error has to be something technical. However, rumour has it, a helpdesk reply (not gospel, natur

lay the field - my favourite racing strategy

Dabbling with laying the field in-running at various prices today, not just one price, but several in the same race. Got several matched in the previous race at Brighton, then this race came along at Nottingham. Such a long straight at Nottingham makes punters often over-react and think the finish line is closer than it actually is. As you can see by the number of bets matched, there was plenty of volatility in this in-play market. It's rare you'll get a complete wipe-out with one horse getting matched at all levels, but it can happen, so don't give yourself too much risk...

Sport is made for betting

Search This Blog