Online Betting Pro, Author at Free Bets And Sports News.

Wounded Punters Ready To Strike Back On Stakes Day

Posted on 2016-11-04 by Online Betting Pro

Most punters duly handed back their profits from the first two days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Oaks Day after both red-hot favourites were beaten. The victory of the Lasqueti Spirit in the Crown Oaks was particularly cutting – it’s not every day that a $101 maiden wins a Group 1 race worth AUD $1 million!

So it’s onwards and upwards for what is arguably the best day of the carnival highlighted by a new-look AUD $2,000,000 Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) and the AUD $1,000,000 Group 1 Darley Classic (1000m). The Flemington track has raced evenly across the previous three meetings but the usual trend of on-pace to run-on bias appears to have shifted this year, with horses on the speed dominating on Oaks Day. The track should remain in the good 3-4 range with a warm Friday forecast for Melbourne and only light showers on Saturday morning.

New era for Emirates Stakes

The Emirates Stakes that was once the highlight of the carnival finale is no more. Instead, the L.K.S. MacKinnon Stakes (previously run on Derby Day dating back to 1869) has been reshaped into a new era Emirates Stakes. The MacKinnon Stakes was once a key lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup, with 14 winners going on to repeat three days later.

However, the most recent winner of both races was Rogan Josh in 1999, and the relevance of the MacKinnon in the overall Cup picture has waned over the past decade. This reinvention of the MacKinnon shapes up as a cracking race – a weight-for-age field just a couple of notches below that of a Cox Plate line-up. Indeed, 10 of the past 12 winners of the MacKinnon contested the Cox Plate at their previous start with Gailo Chop the latest to successfully back-up. Dual Cox Plate winner Winx has been sent to the paddock leaving a tight market.

French raider poised for G1 triumph

Recent history shows that international runners making their second Australian start during the Melbourne spring have an outstanding record. Side Glance (2013) and Gailo Chop (2015) followed this formline in the MacKinnon, and French entire Vadamos looks an excellent chance of emulating that feat. His run in the Cox Plate was full of merit – working into a howling gale from the moment the gates opened, he was still pouring on the pressure at the 800m-mark and finished a gallant fourth behind Winx, Hartnell and Yankee Rose, rating more than 120.

The 2000 metres of the Emirates Stakes sits right in the middle of his preferred distance range, he’s drawn perfectly in barrier 7, and should be ridden a touch more patiently by Damien Oliver. He’s just shaded by The United States ($4.00) in the market and still looks a steal at $4.60 with William Hill.

Sydney sprinter to upset local hopes

The day’s other feature began life in 1960 as the Craven ‘A’ Stakes in a less “enlightened” time! The nation’s best sprinters dominate the honour roll including Buffering, Black Caviar (twice), Miss Andretti, Dance Hero and Takeover Target. This year’s field may not have the superstar factor but it’s an extraordinarily even field with up to nine legitimate challengers in a field of 12. The market can’t separate the top four – Fell Swoop ($6), Our Boy Malachi ($6), Lankan Rupee ($6.50) and The Quarterback ($6.50).

The straight races have been a bit of a lottery this week, so it’s worth looking past the obvious. Exciting Sydneysider Spieth has won five of his eight career starts including his past four in a row. Crucially, he’s had a run down the Straight Six, winning an 1100m handicap back in June. The $9 with Ladbrokes looks terrific value in such an even field.

Chelsea vs. Everton: Will the Blues Unstick the Toffees?

Posted on 2016-11-03 by Online Betting Pro

In the battle between fourth and sixth, many would expect the former to snatch a narrow victory, but will Chelsea really have it that easy when Everton come knocking on November 5? In seasons gone by, a visit from the Toffees would have been seen as another routine win for Chelsea. However, this season, things look set to be a little different.

Although the Premier League stats are currently weighting in favour of Antonio Conte’s side, it’s worth remembering that the last time the two teams squared off it was Everton who clinched the win. Yes, that game was back in March, and yes it was an FA Cup quarterfinal, but the fact remains that Everton won 2-0.

The Odds Tell a Different Story

Now, if you looked at the current football betting odds on Sun Bets, you’d probably never guess that the last meeting between these two went the way of Ronald Koeman’s men. At the time of writing, £10 on Everton will earn you a £50 profit thanks to a 5/1 betting line at Sun Bets.

Branching out across the industry, Sky Bet’s odds makers have a similar outlook at 19/4, while BetVictor has priced the away team at 11/2. On the other side of the coin, 11/20 and 5/9 can be found at BetVictor and Sun Bets respectively, which would suggest all three points will stay at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

At this point, it’s important to say that living in the past isn’t a particularly strong strategy for a team playing in the present. But, it’s hard to ignore the fact Everton hold the upper hand. Of course, if we leave the past behind, the current dynamics certainly favour Chelsea. 21 goals in ten Premier League games is a testament to the work Diego Costa et al have put in so far this season.

Equally impressive has been Chelsea’s defensive record of late. The combination of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta paid dividends in October with clean sheets becoming the norm. Indeed, it’s this combination of defence and attack that has left Chelsea nipping at the heels of the top three.

Stats Belie an Everton Injury Crisis

However, as strong as Chelsea’s stats are, Everton have been equally impressive this season. Just eight goals against in ten games (compared to Chelsea’s nine) have earned Everton some impressive results. Indeed, with 18 points already in the bag and a place in the Champions League still on the table, the Toffees will start the game with a lot of confidence.

Unfortunately, confidence might not be enough to get Everton through an untimely injury spell. Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg is out due to a foot injury while Leighton Baines will also be watching from the sidelines with a hamstring strain. The loss of two key players couldn’t come at a worse time, and that could be the reason the odds are against Everton this time around.

There’s no doubt Everton have a much better chance of beating Chelsea than they have in previous seasons; however, that might not be enough. Although 5/1 is an extremely attractive price given the situation, it’s hard to see past Chelsea and that’s why the bookies appear to have it right this time.

Fashion is Child’s Play at Stakes Day

Posted on 2016-11-03 by Online Betting Pro

FORGET the bling and designer bags, the best accessory for Stakes Day is a mini-me.

The final day of Flemington’s big week is dubbed family day and is a little more relaxed than the rest of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

A free entertainment precinct for families – The Zone – will host special guests including Johnny Ruffo (Home & Away), Nick Jnr’s Dora the Explorer, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star.

The Fashions on the Field is also designed for minors with junior and senior categories for girls and boys, and a family category

The prizes include business class airfares to Dubai, TVs, luggage and bowling vouchers.

When it comes to curating outfits for your offspring Melbourne stylist Kim Kennedy encourages parents to focus on clothes that are comfortable and age appropriate.

“It’s really important to remember that you’re dressing a child, not a mini-adult,” she said.

“Choose clothes that your kids can move easily in and remember to check the weather.

“I know models are happy to shiver through a cold day at the races, but children will be miserable and won’t enjoy the day.”

Layering outfits with singlets and stockings helps keep little ones warm without sacrificing style, she said.

Kennedy recommends packing a complete outfit change and plenty of snacks and drinks for children taking in the Fashions on the Field competition.

“If you are planning on presenting your child for the fashions then you want them to look clean and polished.

“That can be tricky to achieve if they’ve been wearing the outfit since they left home. It’s also not much fun for them after they have competed if they can’t run around and have a bit of fun because you’re worried about them ruining their expensive clothes.

“These types of competitions can also involve a lot of waiting around, it can take up to three hours from the first heat to the finals, so it’s not a bad idea to have something for your child to eat and drink.”

For those determined to dress their child in designer duds, there are plenty of labels with junior ranges, she said.

Ted Baker’s range of junior frocks mirrors the fabrics used in the women’s designs in age appropriate styles.

“The shoulders are covered and there are no cut-outs,” Kennedy said.

A full dress rehearsal at home before the big day helps children understand what to expect and gives advance notice of any potential problems.

If Little Johnny is going to refuse to wear that super-cute boater it’s better to find out before you’re on stage.

Roping in some friends and family to act as a cheer squad in the crowd can also help to calm little nerves.

Seeing a familiar face is often all it takes to bring on the smiles, and melt the hearts of the judges.

It’s All About The Fillies On Crown Oaks Day

Posted on 2016-11-02 by Online Betting Pro

A huge Melbourne Cup Day crowd is almost a given due to the city’s public holiday on the first Tuesday of November. But there’s no gazetted day off on the Thursday of the Melbourne Cup Carnival week. In 2004, that didn’t stop a staggering number of 110,677 racegoers turning out to watch the VRC Oaks.

Over the past dozen years, the crowd numbers have almost halved for Ladies Day, but more than 60,000 will still head out to Flemington this year – many of who will still be sending an SMS to the boss lamenting the misfortune at being struck down so suddenly by illness! As a race day, it pales somewhat compared to the other three days of Australia’s ultimate racing festival. The AUD $1,000,000 Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) for the three-year-old fillies is the main event, supported by a pair of Group 3 races and a handful of Listed events.

Star power rules in day’s feature

The oldest fillies’ classic in Australia, the VRC Oaks was first contested in 1861. The presence of the names of some of the winners from those early days is slightly dubious as the 1864, 1868, 1870 and 1877 editions featured only two runners. Initially run over 12 furlongs, the distance was changed to 2400m with the introduction of metrics in racing in 1972, before becoming a 2500m race the following year to provide a longer run out of the straight before the first turn.

With the fillies untried at this distance, history shows that star quality is often enough to carry winners over the line as shown by the presence of Light Fingers, Surround, Rose Of Kingston, Research and Miss Finland on the honour roll. Short-price favourites are common in the Oaks, and that’s the case this year with Yankee Rose almost prohibitively priced at $1.65 (with Ladbrokes).

Yankee Rose dominates the market

That’s not to say she won’t be a worthy winner after a roller coaster ride alongside her trainer David Vandyke. The All-American filly was terrible in trackwork heading into this prep, and after finishing sixth in the G1 Golden Rose at Rosehill in September, connections feared she would never deliver on her immense promise. But she bounced back to be just pipped in the G1 Flight Stakes before winning the G1 Champion Stakes (200m) at Randwick.

Yankee Rose then turned in a stunning run to place third behind Winx and Hartnell in the Cox Plate to smash her rating through the 110-barrier. Vandyke, who recently shifted his base from Sydney to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has overcome drug and alcohol demons of his own, so they make a resilient pair deserving of more G1 success. Gate 13 isn’t ideal, but she simply wins.

It’s the day for the greys

There may not be much value in the Crown Oaks, but a couple of others on the card appeal at more generous prices. The third of the day is one of the most unique races on the Australian turf calendar. The Subzero Handicap (1400m) is a benchmark 90 affair reserved exclusively for greys! The superbly-named #4 Murt The Flirt ($4.60 with William Hill) won last time out at Caulfield and is drawn/weighted better than his main challengers, Sydney pair Rock Forthe Ladies and Onerous.

The Listed Mumm Stakes (1000m) also looks an intriguing affair with the return of injury-prone Terravista as he takes on the low-flying Hellbent from the all-conquering Darren Weir stable. The sprint fields have been heading for the outside fence this week, so the wide draw (12) is ideal for Hellbent. Take any price in the black for him to make it three in a row.

Fashion Stakes Heat up at Oaks Day

Posted on 2016-11-01 by Online Betting Pro

OAKS Day is all about the ladies, both on and off the track. The racing highlight is the Group One Crown Oaks – a classic for three-year-old fillies over 2500m with a $1 million purse. The competition is just as fierce in the style stakes with Melbourne’s best dressed eyeing a National Fashions on the Field title and more than $90,000 in prizes.

The Myer Fashions on the Field at Flemington is Australia’s largest and most prestigious outdoor fashion event.

The competition was first staged in 1962 in a bid to attract more women to the races, with the object of ‘finding the smartest dressed women at the Carnival within economic restraints’. There were initially three categories for ladies – for outfits that had cost £30 and under, £50 and over, and a category for Most Elegant Hat.

Today the competition includes race wear categories for women and men and an invitation only millinery section.

State finals are held across the country with the winner of each winning a trip to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and the chance to take part in the national final at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.

The Victorian State final is a showdown of the daily winners of the Women’s Race Wear competitions at Flemington on AAMI Victoria Derby Day, Emirates Melbourne Cup Day and Crown Oaks Day.

The winner goes onto compete against State finalists from SA, NSW, WA, Tasmania and Queensland, for the coveted national title and prizes including an $83,000 Lexus RC 200t F Sport and a $6000 Myer shopping spree.

Gunita Kenina, 28, will be there on Thursday in the hope of taking her Derby Day Fashions on the Field win to the next level.

The South Yarra resident is a newcomer to racing, having just arrived in Australia from Latvia in February.

She attended Derby Day in a lace dress by local label Vezzano Couture.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to afford a designer piece,” Kenina said.

“ I called my mum in Latvia earlier and she has never seen and experienced anything like this and she just said I would look good in a paper bag. I’m sure my mum would be so proud when she finds out I won,” she said.

You don’t have to don a label to impress the judges.

Emily Hunter took out the 2015 national final in a dress her mother made from Italian fabric, a $3 clutch and earrings she borrowed from her sister.

But dressing for the weather is important, and finding out who the judges are and researching their personal style can also help get you over the line.

Head wear that complements the outfit is also essential, so splurge on a visit to a good milliner.

Oaks Day style is all about elegant glamour, whether you’re a contestant or a spectator. Floral prints, soft pastels, lace detailing and even ruffles will be popular this year. The versatile boater is also a standout.

It’s not as expensive as highly structured millinery that has been all the rage for the past few years, and it lends itself to reinvention.

The ribbon that wraps around the hat can be colour coordinated with colourful heels or accessories, and a jaunty feather can be added for extra flair.

Champions League Preview: Will Leicester Continue Their European Adventure?

Posted on 2016-11-01 by Online Betting Pro

While Leicester City’s defence of their Premier League title can be described as stuttering at best, there’s no denying that the Foxes are flying in the UEFA Champions League.

Handed a relatively favourable group on their European debut, Claudio Ranieri’s men have taken to the competition like ducks to water and are remarkably one of only three teams to boast a 100% record after their opening trio of matches. As such, Leicester travels to the Danish capital on Wednesday knowing that even a point against FC Copenhagen will guarantee their progress into the round of 16.

That being said, the bookmakers certainly aren’t expecting an easy night for the visitors, with Copenhagen rated as 13/10 favourites and Leicester coming in slightly behind at 5/2 with Bet365. It is worth noting that Ståle Solbakken’s team are unbeaten at Telia Park this season and were also fairly unfortunate not to come away with something in the reverse fixture, so steaming into the away side may be foolhardy here.

Given Ranieri’s team are yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League, the 15/2 offered by Sky Bet on the game finishing 0-0 should perhaps be of more interest. Obviously the Italian will want to have qualification from Group G wrapped up on the night, but when an unstoppable force like Leicester’s perfect record meets an immovable object like Copenhagen’s home form, it is often best to back the stalemate.

Ronaldo To Run Riot

Things are unlikely to be so tentative over in Group F where Real Madrid make the trip to Poland to face a Legia Warsaw side that they thrashed 5-1 a fortnight ago. The hosts are without a point in the Champions League so far and have conceded a staggering 13 goals in their previous three matches, making Bet365’s quote of 28/1 on them causing an upset look anything but wide of the mark.

Despite his team’s comfortable victory, Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure in the reverse fixture as he failed to find the net, but it certainly wasn’t for want of trying. The Portuguese fired nine attempts at goal – finding the target twice – and is unlikely to be in such a charitable mood as he closes in on a century of European strikes on Wednesday. Indeed, BetVictor has Madrid’s star man down at odds as short as 2/1 to score two or more goals in Warsaw, but it remains an attractive price given the host’s defensive woes.

While a best price of 1/8 from BetFred on Zinedine Zidane’s side emerging with all three points in the game is unlikely to get the blood pumping, the winning margin market may yet prove a more viable option. With Legia shipping six goals to Borussia Dortmund without response in their previous Champions League home fixture, you can get a decent price of 15/8 on the visitors winning by four goals or more with PaddyPower.

Do Or Die For Spurs

With Tottenham full-back Danny Rose describing his side’s upcoming games against Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal as ones that could “make or break” Spurs’ season, Mauricio Pochettino will be eager to see his team send out the right message as they host the Germans at Wembley Stadium.

Unbeaten in the Premier League, it’s been a mixed bag of results for the North London side in Europe, with a loss, a win and a draw leaving them precariously placed in a tight Group E. Having failed to find the net more than once in any of their Champions League fixtures this season, it looks likely to be another nervy night for Spurs and Bet365 currently have them down at evens to secure victory with the visitors at 13/5.

Given Roger Schmidt’s side have been similarly shy in front of goal in the competition so far, the over/under market may be the way to go and 888sport are offering 29/10 that the game is decided by a single strike. Those wishing to boost their odds will find better value in William Hill’s 15/2 quote that the hosts win the game 1-0, but whichever way you cut it, it looks like anything but a comfortable evening for the home team.

Author: Online Betting Pro