Sha Tin Sunday 29th Tips!

SHA TIN
Hong Kong Wrap Up

It’s always a great day’s racing at Hong Kong and in particular Sha Tin. Looks a sensational day once again today especially looking at the last five races. We have a great Hong Kong Group Three in race 9 which does certainly appeal as a very good chance to get amongst the exotics. Our best bet of the day in race is 10 is No 6 Eroico he will have a bit of value if not too much but he does look a very strong chance just the same and looking at our best value selection of the day in Thor The Greatest he does look to be a strong each way chance. Enjoy the form guide as I know you will get collects and continue to enjoy Hong Kong racing as it is certainly user friendly when you have this form which is on target.
Track and Conditions: Turf A+3 Course.

Expected Weather:Cloudy with sunny intervals and coastal fog in the morning which will clear by race time and a top temperature of 25 degrees. Wind will be from the east gusting up to around the 30 Km/h at times which will aid the on paced runners with a head wind down the straight.
Best Bet: Race 10 No 6 Eroico
Best Value: Race 5 No 5 Thor The Greatest
Best Exotic Races: Race No’s 5-6-7-8-9-10
Quaddie:-
Race 7: 5-4 Race 8: 7-2 Race 9: 7-1-11-6-2 Race 10: 6-1-4-2

Race 1: — Time: 7.45am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 5
Top Pick: No 13 Lucky Bole
Value Selection: No 2 Jun Ju
Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Enchanted Diamond-5 Good Thinker-No 6 La Cota De Blue
Race Overview
Each way the field and a very open race to kick off the card today. Lucky Bole I had a close look at the footage of his last start effort and it was a good run. He drew wide on that occasion and was in no man’s land after they jumped and was pushed forward and looped the field leading all the way until about 50m out. That was a pretty good effort all be it on the All Weather Track. Gets in with a similar weight today and I have the sneaky feeling he may be close to a win. Jun Ju dropped back in class after three starts at class four this season and has not been too far away. Went well over this distance last start and closed off very well from a wide gate. Gets another wide gate today and they should adopt the same tactics. Just needs the tempo to be enough to allow him time to run on. Looks a bit of a chance in this if there is a bit of pressure on the obvious leader in Oriential Fantasia.
Race 2: — Time: 8.15am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 5
Top Pick: No 5 Elegant Frames
Selection: No 1 Friends of Yan Oi
Exotic Inclusions: No 8 King Tai Sing and No 11 Chans Delight

Race Overview
Elegant Frames dropped back to this class last start over this distance at Happy Valley but had excuses just after the jump and never really got into it although he finished ok. His only other start when he dropped back to this class was over this course, distance and track and it was also with Joao Moreira in the saddle and he is back on him once again today for the first time since that run when he scored with three Lb’s more than what he has today and he does come up with a very nice draw in gate one. You would think he has to be a chance here. Friends of Yan Oi Has not had too many runs at Sha Tin and is mostly a Happy Valley horse however he comes across as a bit of a chance with the class drop. The last time he was at class five he performed well and was in the finish on most occasions with a similar weight to what he has today. Comes up with a decent draw today in gate five and Douglas Whyte is sticking with him.

Race 3: — Time: 8.45am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4
Top Pick: No 3 Unique Joyful
Value Selection: No 9 Diamond Mysterious
Exotic Inclusions: No 7 Lucky Year- No 1 The Prince – No 8 One More World
Race Overview
Unique Joyful has been consistent all season at this class and even though being touched up in the weights he does look to be very close to another win. Retains his usual hoop and comes up with a very nice draw in gate three which should see him very well placed in the running. Closed off very hard from an unfavourable gate last start and only has to retain that form to give this a big shake. Diamond Mysterious looks to be an improving type at this class and although most starts have been over the 1000m he did close off well last start over the 1000m at Sha Tin all be it from a nice draw. Comes up with another nice draw today in gate two and is still well weighted after his last start 2nd.

Race 4: — Time: 9.15am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4
Top Pick: No 7 Unique Happiest
Value Selection: No 4 Master Mind
Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Short Squeeze and No 8 Elite Pride/No 5 G-One Bo Bo
Race Overview
Unique Happiest has performed very consistently at his last four starts and does not look too far away from a win going on those efforts. Only up 1 lb on his last start 2nd and retains the Master of the Weave in Brett Prebble in the saddle and he may have to use those talents late as should be close up near the rails throughout the running just the same. Master Mind Just the one start in Hong Kong and it was over this distance at Sha Tin when he closed off well and was only 1.5 lengths away in the wash up. Comes up with a nice draw once again in gate five and Douglas Whyte retains the ride. May very well pay to follow here as his track work has been very good.

Race 5: — Time: 10.05am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3
Top Pick: No 3 Strathmore
Value Selection: No 8 Thor The Greatest
Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Amazing Kids and No 11 Lucky Day/No 12 Blizzard
Race Overview
Strathmore only the four starts in Hong Kong and went over the 1400m last start for the first time and performed well from a wide gate on that occasion. He is down 4 Lb’s in weight today and has Joao Moreira in the saddle. Comes up with a nice draw in gate three and certainly has plenty of appeal in this field. Thor The Greatest went well for Jack Wong at his first start at this class last start and was only run down late after leading almost all the way with a light weight. He should once again take the lead today and if not too much pressure appeals as a each way chance with Brett Prebble back in the saddle. He is a smart hoop and is always looking for something special.

Race 6: — Time: 10.35am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 4
Top Pick: No 4 Winnam
Value Selection: No 7 Gold Dragon
Exotic Inclusions: No 6 Unique Joyous-No 2 Grand Harbour-No 1 Fighting Boy
Race Overview
Winnam has performed very well this season at this class over this distance and similar. Comes up with a decent draw today in gate six and should be well placed in the running. Having Joao Moreira in the saddle certainly will not help the odds but he does look a decent chance today. Gold Dragon has only had the 5 starts in Hong Kong and all have been at Sha Tin. He has shown improvement since moving up in distance and put in a nice effort over this distance last start and was only a length away in the wash up after a nice even on paced run. Should do the same today from barrier seven with the same weight as last start. Looks to be getting close to a win. Fighting Boy does look suited over this distance going on his recent form as he has been right in the finish at his last three starts and winning one of those. He does have a habit of getting away slow but if he gets away ok today that should make the difference and put him in the finish with a better chance today. Goes in as my BOLTER of the day.

Race 7: — Time: 11.05am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3
Top Pick: No 5 Bossie
Value Selection: No 4 Too Fast
Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Sunny Pearl and No 7 Fine Rock

Race Overview
Bossiee is a very consistent type and does look a very good chance in this field. Won well over this distance at this class all be it with a lighter weight last start. But does still get into this at a weight that does look good and he also has Joao Moreira retaining the ride. Looks in fine from gate 8 and appeals as a very good chance here. Too Fast showed marked improvement last start with a very nice 3rd after closing off from a long way back and from his draw today will be doing the same. There just may be enough early pace here to allow him to close off well enough to get into the finish again today. Retains same hoop and certainly has to come under consideration here. Fine Rock gets into this race today with a big weight drop with Jack Wong in the saddle and will trot around with just 114lbs on his back which is 10 Lb’s less than he has carried in his three Hong Kong starts to date. His efforts have been fair without winning and with the weight drop today it just may make the difference. BOLTER.

Race 8: — Time: 11.35am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3
Top Pick: No 7 Wild Boy
Value Selection: No 2 Regency Ho Ho
Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Packing Go Go and No 4 Tango Fire

Race Overview Wild Boy bounced back into form last start with an all the way win. Up in class today and gets an 8 Lb weight drop which I feel is a bit on the skinny side and may have got a bit more as this is his first go at class three. Should certainly be on the pace and in a good position entering the home straight. Regency Ho Ho is hard to go past here even though most of his runs have been at Happy Valley. He is never very far away and does look well placed in this field. Up a touch in the weights but has drawn well and he has Brett Prebble in the saddle who retains the ride today.

Race 9: — Time: 12.10pm GMT—Distance: 1800m— Hong Kong Group III
Top Pick: No 7 Helene Super Star
Value Selection: No 1 Blazing Speed
Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Packing Llaregyb – No 6 Harbour Master and No 2 California Memory
Race Overview
Nice Group Three here with some good runners engaged but when you look at it Helene Super Star does look in very well at the weights today. Carried 126Lbs last start at set weights at G1 and only went down by 1.5 lengths to Designs on Rome who will start at a short price early today in the Dubai Sheema Classic G1. That has to be a very good pointer. Blazing Speed even with top weight is the best performed in this field and most likely deserves to have top weight. Finished off very well behind Designs On Rome last start and does have very good form behind that runner. Having said that there will most likely be a heap with the lighter weights getting right into the finish here and no more so than Packing Llaregyb who went very close over this distance two starts back chasing down Designs on Rome and with a similar weight has to be a solid chance.

Race 10: — Time: 12.45pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 2
Top Pick: No: 6 Erioco
Value Selection: No 1 Let Me Go
Exotic Inclusions: No 4 Multivictory and No 2 Full Talent

Race Overview
Nice Class Two here with some chances but if we go with the form then Eroico has to come under strong consideration here as he has been extremely consistent since arriving in Hong Kong. He performed extremely well last start which was at this class for the first time and over this distance. He was only .5 of a length away on that occasion from an unsuitable gate and gets in so much better today in gate three. Retains Joao Moreira in the saddle and he has been with this runner from day one which tells me he has a very good opinion of this horse. But then again he does have a Brazilian name 🙂 Let Me Go has improved leaps and bounds this season and most likely deserves top weight as he won last start with 127Lbs at this class after finishing 2nd at Class One last start all be it with a much lighter weight. He should race mid field but there should be enough pace on here to run home strong. Multivictory is touched up a bit in the weights but does have the ability to get into this and should be well placed in the running after coming up with the rails draw.

2015 F1 Malaysian Grand Prix Preview

In the second race of the new season, Lewis Hamilton is in pole position at The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia after edging out Sebastian Vettel by just 0.074 seconds in Saturday’s soaking wet qualifying.

Hamilton won here for the first time last year, but Vettel has also tasted a lot of success in Malaysia in recent years – winning three of the last five races here – in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

The Englishman made the perfect start to the defence of his title a fortnight ago in Melbourne, edging out Mercedes team-mate, Nico Rosberg – with the rest of the field way behind and only 11 cars finishing. It seemed that the trends of 2014, i.e. McLaren dominance, financial concerns and political turmoil, had all been carried over to Australia, but will it be more of the same in 2015?

Vettel will be desperate prevent Hamilton pulling away quickly in the 2015 F1 Championship, and could earn his first win with Ferrari in doing so.

2015 Malaysian Grand Prix Grid

  1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
  2. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
  3. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
  4. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
  5. Danni Kyvat – Red Bull
  6. Max Verstappen – Toro Rosso

Hamilton and Vettel will line-up as one-two on the grid, with Rosberg in third – who was thought to have held up his team-mate on the final qualifying lap. However, the most notable performance in qualifying went to 17-year-old Dutchman, Max Verstappen, of Toro Rosso – who managed a stunning sixth place in only his second race.

Prediction

It looks set to be a battle between the English and Germans once again, with Hamilton, Vettel and Rosberg all very likely to be in contention. If the Brit does win, it will represent a stunning eighth win in nine races – further emphasizing his current dominance. Rosberg and Vettel will know a defeat here could make it very difficult to reign Hamilton back in – and the championship could be as good as over by the time it reaches Europe if nobody can step up to seriously – and consistently – challenge him.

It’s likely to be wet again on race day, so any minor errors could be severely punished by the torrential conditions.

That said, the Sepang is probably the best of the Hermann Tilke-designed tracks and should provide a fascinating battlefield for the drivers.

Tip:

1st Hamilton, 2nd Vettel – 7/2 at SkyBet

Malaysian F1 Race Details:

Track: The Sepang International Circuit

Start Time: 08:00 GMT (15:00 local)

Laps: 56

Track Length: 5.543

Tyre Allocation: Hard (orange) and Medium (white)

Lap Record: Juan Pablo Montoya – 1:34.223 (BMW Williams; 2014)

£1 million up for grabs in Scoop6!

The popular Scoop6 could reach a pay-out of over £1 million on Saturday for the opening day of the new turf flat racing season. We’ve studied the form and come up with a couple of selection in each of the six races in the hope of helping some lucky punter towards the jackpot prize! A word of warning though…both the Spring Mile and the Lincoln Handicap are included.

Doncaster 2.35

The Cammidge Trophy looks a tricky opener for punters with a decent case to be made for nine of the eleven runners. Naadirr has to be included after some progressive form last season while there seems to be plenty of confidence behind Astaire in the betting market.

NAADIRR, ASTAIRE

Kempton 2.50

The Rosebery Handicap is a competitive event but there seems no reason to desert Godolphin’s New Year’s Day. He won with a bit in hand last time and is nicely drawn in stall 2. Saoi is weighted to get closer this time but I just prefer Latin Charm who looked progressive last winter for Marco Botti.

NEW YEAR’S DAY, LATIN CHARM

Doncaster 3.10

Punters finding the winner of the Spring Mile and the Lincoln Handicap are going to need a large slice of luck or psychic powers! Donny Rover is still fairly treated after ending last season with back-to-back victories while Boots And Spurs was second here two years ago and races off a lower mark.

DONNY ROVER, BOOTS AND SPURS

Kempton 3.25

Boomerang Bob looked to be coming back to form last time and should give us a good run for Charlie Hills. Perfect Pasture won well at Southwell last time but will need to break quickly from stall 10.

BOOMERANG BOB, PERFECT PASTURE

Chelmsford 3.30

The Scoop6 organisers haven’t done punters any favours by including this race. Dungannon was disappointing last time but lost his chance as the start. He could bounce back to form here with Zac Brown also capable of much better.

DUNGANNON, ZAC BROWN

Doncaster 3.45

The last four winners of the Lincoln have returned 16-1, 25-1 and 20-1 twice. That tells its own story but we have to keep the faith with our ante-post choices of Zarwaan and Gabrial’s Kaka. Good luck if you’re playing the Scoop6 this weekend!

ZARWAAN, GABRIAL’S KAKA

Totesport Scoop6

Doncaster Saturday Preview

The going looks likely to be good for Saturday’s Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the traditional curtain-raiser to the new turf flat season.

Our ante-post selections Zarwaan (12-1) and Gabrial’s Kaka (14-1) have both received favourable draws in 18 and 22 respectively. If you backed Buckstay, he missed the cut and runs in the Spring Mile instead but stakes will be returned.

Bookmakers are finding it hard to split Mange All, Zarwaan and Gm Hopkins and will be delighted if anything outside of these three passes the post in front. The Spring Mile may show whether or not the favoured high draw theory is correct and I am passing over Buckstay from stall 1 in that contest. The money has all been for Certificate here but this is a stiff test for such an inexperienced horse and it may be worth taking a chance with Donny Rover.

He ended last season with victories at Newmarket and Nottingham, both over ten furlongs. That may not seem the best preparation for a straight mile but he did win first time out over this trip. He is also racing off the same mark as his last start in October and will be staying on at the finish.

Tullius looks difficult to oppose in the Doncaster Mile but could still represent value if you can get close to even money. He was runner-up in the Lincoln last year but ended the season holding his own in Group 1 company. He was a fine second to Olympic Glory and fourth to Charm Spirit, both at Ascot. He probably prefers a bit of cut in the ground but there certainly won’t be any danger of fast ground at Town Moor.

Glory Awaits is something of an enigma having chased home Dawn Approach at 150-1 in the 2000 Guineas a couple of years ago. He hasn’t produced anything like that since and Baltic Knight will probably pose the biggest threat for Richard Hannon.

The Cammidge Trophy looks wide open and I’m siding with Naadirr who was tough and consistent last season for Marco Botti. He looks the type of horse to improve from three to four and can kick of the new campaign with a victory.

Aetna, Astaire and Heaven’s Guest are all capable of winning this on their best form but Naadirr looks good each-way value.

Tullius 2.00 @4-6 888Sport

Naadirr 2.35 @7-1 Boylesports

Donny Rover 3.10 @16-1 Stan James

Zarwaan @12-1 Ante-post

Gabrial’s Kaka @14-1 Ante-post

Dubai World Cup – Ante-Post Update

Last week we recommended Epiphaneia as the each-way bet at 8-1 for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday. That is still the best price available with California Chrome holding steady at around 6-4 despite being drawn out wide.

Unless California Chrome puts on a show, there is a danger that the big race will not live up to its billing. It certainly does not look the strongest renewal but the same cannot be said for the rest of the card.

There are five Group 1 races and three Group 2 races but only the Sheema Classic and the World Cup are televised by Channel 4. SKY viewers can watch all eight races live and it promises to be an entertaining card.

Tamarkuz is confidently expected to win the Godolphin Mile under Paul Hanagan after being drawn on the inside of the 16 runners. His main danger may come from Surfer but he is drawn widest of all and will do well to reach the frame from there.

The Dubai Gold Cup features the popular Brown Panther for the Michael Owen/Tom Dascombe partnership. He blotted his copybook by running away with his rider before the start at Woodbine but will be ponied to the start on Saturday. Ahzeemah was runner-up to the ill-fated Cavalryman here a year ago but ran inexplicably badly last time.

The UAE Derby should go the way of Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij who looked as if he would have won the 2000 Guineas with another few strides. He is taken to gain revenge on Maftool over this slightly longer trip.

There are two big sprints and both will take a lot of sorting out. Sole Power needs everything to go right in the Al Quoz while Secret Circle and Rich Tapestry give the Americans a very strong hand in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Solow is expected to win the Dubai Turf for France at the expense of The Grey Gatsby who surely won’t be 100% for his first race of the season.

The Dubai Sheema Classic is arguably the best race of the night. Main Sequence has been a revelation since joining Graham Motion in America. He renews rivalry with Breeders’ Cup victim Flintshire who had a recent pipe-opener in France. Harp Star, given too much to do in the Arc, and Dolniya add depth to the field along with the progressive Designs In Rome.

Tamarkuz @6-4 Godolphin Mile Bet365

Mubtaahij @11-4 UAE Derby Bet365

Solow @9-4 Dubai Turf Betfair

Rugby League: NRL Round 4 Preview

After a promising round of predictions last week, we bring you our NRL Round 4 Preview hoping for a perfect 8.  Check out the rounds matches and teams below:

Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Eels – $3.25

Rabbitohs – $1.36

The Eels need all the help they can get in the Round’s opener at Pirtek Stadium.  Home ground advantage will give them a small boost against the Rabbitohs, but’s its unlikely to get them over the line against the best side in the competition.

The Rabbitohs look increasingly like defending champions already after winning their three openers, two of which were against other top 4 contenders.  They’ve lost Dylan Walker for a month through a hand injury but are otherwise at full strength.  They are fortunate to have the best player in the NRL leading their side from fullback, and one of the toughest in Isaac Luke at hooker.

The Rabbits x-factor will be too much for an Eels line-up still missing ‘Semi-trialer’ and a number of other key personnel.  Rabbitohs to win this one by 13+.

Eels: 1. Will Hopoate 2. John Folau 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Reece Robinson 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah (C) 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough.

Interchange: 14. Issac De Gois 15. Joseph Paulo 16. Danny Wicks 17. David Gower.

Rabbitohs: 1. Greg Inglis (c) 2. Alex Johnston 3. Daryl Millard 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Joel Reddy 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. David Tyrrell 11. Glenn Stewart 12. Chris McQueen 13. Tim Grant

Interchange: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Jason Clark 16. Chris Grevsmuhl 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Ben Lowe 19. Nathan Brown

West Tigers v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Tigers – $3.05

Bulldogs – $1.40

The all Sydney second encounter should be settled in favour of the Superior Bulldogs side.  They have made a good fist of the 2015 season and have plenty of go-forward from their in-form pack, particularly props Tolman and Graham.  The Tigers look a better side in 2015, but still ely too heavily on Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods.  While Tedesco, Moses and Brooks are fine young players and will are all future superstars, they’re all too defensively vulnerable and too easily targeted by opposition teams.

Pat Richards is serving a suspension and won’t play for the Tigers; he’s been replaced by Delouise Hoeter.  Aaron Woods is also a doubtful starter despite being named.

The Bulldogs are unchanged.  We think they’ll win this one, but only by 1-12.  They’re not really big scorers no matter how dominant.

Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 Kevin Naiqama 3 Tim Simona 4 Chris Lawrence 5 Delouise Hoeter 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Aaron Woods 9 Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Sauaso Sue 13. Martin Taupau.

Interchange: 14. Dene Halatau 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Jack Buchanan 17. Brenden Santi 18. Kyle Lovett

Bulldogs: 1 Brett Morris 2 Curtis Rona 3 Josh Morris 4 Tim Lafai 5 Sam Perrett 6 Moses Mbye 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Tony Williams 13 Greg Eastwood.

Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 David Klemmer 16 Frank Pritchard 17 Tim Browne.

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers

Knights – $2.00

Panthers – $1.85

Second on the NRL ladder plays third in what shapes as an entertaining Saturday afternoon encounter between the Knights and the Panthers.  The Knights are the surprise packages of 2015, winning all three games (one of only two teams to do so).  They are playing an attractive brand of football entering around enterprising centre Dan Gagai.  Gagai is about to be the most sought after property in the player market and Wayne Bennett has already made a play to bring him to the Broncos.

They got a little lucky last week, but will compete strongly again against the Panthers.  The Panthers, like the Knights, had a TMO controversy last week, but this one went against them when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was denied a freakish try.

Both teams have well-settled squads so this is tricky to pick.  We’ll have Panthers 1-12.

Knights: 1 Kurt Gidley 2 James McManus 3 Dane Gagai 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Akuila Uate 6 Jarrod Mullen 7 Tyrone Roberts 8 Kade Snowden 9 Adam Clydsdale 10 David Fa’alogo 11 Beau Scott 12 Robbie Rochow 13 Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: 14 Tyler Randell 15 Chris Houston 16 Paterika Vaivai 17 Jack Stockwell 18 Sione Mata’utia.

Panthers: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3.Dean Whare 4. Jamal Idris 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Isaac John 7. Peter Wallace 8. Sam Mckendry 9. James Segeyaro 10. Brent Kite 11. Sika Manu 12. Lewis Brown 13. Elijah Taylor.

Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17. Bryce Cartwright

Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans

Sharks – $1.52

Titans – $2.60

Cronulla have lost Ben Barba to suspension, but it may be a blessing in disguise for a team who are struggling for points.  Wade Graham will play five-eighth instead, and will be hoping to use the for again Luke Lewis in a similar ball playing role to make it easier. Youngster Jack Bird is on the interchange bench if needed.

The Titans were okay last week.  The TMO cost them dearly, as they didn’t struggle at all with the addition of the drug baron trio.  The Sharks are favourites but the Titans could easily surprise.  If you fancy adding some grunt to your multi this week, seriously consider the Titans.  However, we’ll play it safe and tip the Sharks 1-12.

Sharks: 1 Michael Gordon 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Gerard Beale 4 Ricky Leutele 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Wade Graham 7 Jeff Robson 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 10 Chris Heighington 11 Jayson Bukuya 12 Anthony Tupou 13 Paul Gallen.

Interchange: 14 Luke Lewis 15 Matt Prior 16 Jack Bird 17 David Fifita 18 Tinirau Arona.

Titans: 1 Josh Hoffman 2 Anthony Don 3 James Roberts 4 William Zillman 5 David Mead 6 Aidan Sezer 7 Kane Elgey 8 Luke Douglas 9 Beau Fallooon 10 Nate Myles 11 Ryan James 12 Dave Taylor 13 Greg Bird.

Interchange: 14 Eddy Pettybourne 15 Matt White 16 Ryan Simpkins 17 Kierran Moseley 18 Agnatius Paasi.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly Sea Eagles

Dragons – $2.30

Sea Eagles – $1.65

The worst team of the first two weeks (the Dragons) surprised all last week by sneaking some points against the Raiders in a fast finish.  They need to thank youngster Euan Aitken and experienced frontman Trent Merrin for doing so after the pair put in huge efforts in the second half.  Aitken was a revelation at centre, and he keeps his place after running for more than 200m on debut. Want-away Merrin was also huge and finally gets a start this week with Jack de Belin absent.

They’ll need a similar effort against the always professional Manly side who welcome back Jamie Lyon and Kieran Foran.  Those two will add a huge amount of experience and nous to the side.  The additions should be enough to get them home, by 13+ in our view.

Dragons: 1 Josh Dugan 2 Eto Nabuli 3 Euan Aitken 4 Dylan Farrell 5 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau 9 Mitch Rein 10 Mike Cooper 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Joel Thompson 13 Trent Merrin.

Interchange: 14 Rory O’Brien 15 Jack de Belin 16 Jake Marketo 17 Heath L’Estrange 20 George Rose.

Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart 2 Cheyse Blair 3 Jamie Lyon 4 Steve Matai 5 Peta Hiku 6 Kieran Foran 7 Daly Cherry-Evans 8 Luke Burgess 9 Matt Ballin 10 Willie Mason 11 Feleti Mateo 12 Jamie Buhrer 13 Dunamis Lui.

Interchange: 14 Jesse Sene-Lefao 15 Jake Trbojevic 16 Tom Symonds 17 Ligi Sao 18 Justin Horo.

New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos

Warriors – $1.67

Broncos – $2.25

The Warriors are slight favourites to pip the Broncos at home in one of the closest games of the round.  Both sides enjoyed relatively comfortable wins last week, with the Broncos in particular looking strong as Ben Hunt finally took a game by the scruff of the neck.

The Warriors youngsters of Kata, Lolohea, Vete and Lisone continue to impress.  But Tomkins is a huge loss at the back of the field.  We feel as though that’s determinative in this one, and that Hunt will take control of the game better than Shaun Johnson will.  Broncos to cause an upset and win by 1-12.

Warriors: 1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Jonathan Wright, 3 Matt Allwood, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Chad Townsend, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Thomas Leuluai, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Bodene Thompson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Simon Mannering.

Interchange: 14 Nathan Friend, 15 Ben Henry, 16 Sam Lisone, 17 Albert Vete, 18 Dominique Peyroux.

Broncos: 1 Jordan Kahu, 2 Corey Oates, 3 Jack Reed, 4 Justin Hodges, 5 Lachlan Maranta, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Ben Hunt, 8 Josh McGuire, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Adam Blair, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett 13, Corey Parker,

Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Sam Thaiday 17 Kodi Nikorima 18 Todd Lowrie

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders

Rossters – $1.16

Raiders – $5.50

The Roosters will be buoyed by Blake Ferguson’s return to form.  He scored two tries last week against the Panthers and looked impressive eon defence and attack.  His form completes the puzzle for the Roosters who look well on their way to a top 4 finish this year.  The interchange strength of the Roosters continues to wow – Kane Evans and Sio Siua Taukeiaho some of the biggest and most exciting forwards in our game.

The Raiders, despite being much improved from last year, can’t quite finish off games.  The win adjacent the Sharks could have been followed up with Warriors and Dragons scalps if their execution had of been better.  they have Jack Wighton back, along with Fensom and Buttriss.

They don’t have a chance though.  Roosters by 13+.

Roosters: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Michael Jennings 4 Blake Ferguson 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 James Maloney 7 Mitchell Pearce 8 Jared WaereaHargreaves 9 Matt McIlwrick 10 Sam Moa 11 Boyd Cordner 12 Aidan Guerra 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Mitchell Aubusson 15 Dylan Napa 16 Kane Evans 17 Sio Siua Taukeiaho 18 Willie Manu 19 Lagi Setu

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Jarrod Croker © 4. Edrick Lee 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Mitch Cornish 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dane Tilse 11. Jarrad Kennedy 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Shaun Fensom

Interchange: 14. Glen Buttriss 15. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Shannon Boyd

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm

Cowboys – $1.80

Storm – $2.05

A Cowboys side getting no effort from a tired looking forward-pack are desperate to get some competition points before their 2015 chances fade away.  They host the Storm on Monday, and will be hoping LoLo and Thurston can bring their international experience to a squad lacking in direction.  We’d have them use Jake Granville in the starting hooker spot to spark something different than Kostjasyn, but instead they have dropped O’Neil and Feldt for Wright and Winterstein.

No changes to the Storm.  They played nice against the Sharks last week and will prevail the Cowboys too.  Picking an upset here, Storm 1-12.

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Matthew Wright 3 Tautau Moga 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston 8 Matthew Scott 9 Rory Kostjasyn 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo.

Interchange: 14 Jake Granville 15 Kelepi Tanginoa 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant 18 John Asiata.

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. William Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Tim Glasby 16. Dayne Weston 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 19. Hymel Hunt

Odds available at Sportsbet.