Sport is made for betting

Most of Australia's best sprinters stepped out overnight at Flemington in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, a weight-for-age contest over 1000m. All the hype was about the two 'superstars', Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat, both coming into the race first-up, plus if you've been following the tennis this week, you'll know it has been stinking hot in Melbourne as well... During the week the betting was as short as 2.1 Weekend Hussler and 3.5 Apache Cat. Thankfully sanity prevailed and they drifted to 2.5 and 4.8 by race time, with a bit of support for other runners, and bookies tightening their margins. The end result? Both unplaced, with WA visitor Scenic Blast winning at 19, followed by Typhoon Zed (13) and Grand Duels (26).

Big race at Caulfield tomorrow, can the Hussler rebound from his failure in the Turnbull Stakes to win the toughest G1 2400m handicap in the world? (To be fair, not many countries let G1s be handicaps!). The Betfair spruikers from the Aussie office share their 'wisdom' on the race. For mine, I think Red Ruler is worth a look each-way.

Sydney's big raceday was rather wet, a heavy track made it less of a spectacle and harder to find a winner as everyone was concerned if the rail was off or whether there was a bias to backmarkers. But it didn't really matter as class prevailed in the two big races. Sebring, one of the favourites, went into the race undefeated and came out with his record in tact. Settling slightly further back than expected in the field, he accelerated well when it really mattered and won narrowly from VRC Sires' Produce winner Von Costa de Hero who stormed down the outside. Portillo was the first filly home, finishing a gallant third. A reversal of second and third would have landed me a very substantial trifecta, but c'est la vie. The best part about this colt is he is owned by a public syndicate who are rejecting multi-million dollar offers from the big studs. The joy of racing is what it's all about, not locking him in for a stud career at the first sign of losing form. Bravo to...

Cracking day of racing at Flemington, the home of the Melbourne Cup today. Group 1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200m. Group 1 Australian Guineas over 1600m, for 3yo. Group 1 Australian Cup over 2000m at wfa. Weekend Hussler has the boom on him in the Newmarket, but he's taking on the older horses here down the Flemington straight six. The grey colt Light Fantastic will start a clear favourite in the Guineas while the Australian Cup field has no obvious standout. The champion 2yo and 3yo filly of her year Miss Finland has been disappointing in open class, this is a fairly weak field, but has the bubble completely burst on her?