My pattern of starting the betting weekend off well continued this week with the Crusaders win over the Reds giving me $26.60 in the bank.
The Hurricanes were terrible against the Waratahs which put that multi down the drain.
The Yankees produced a big effort including a towering grand slam by A-Rod to increase my winnings to $41.30 for the weekend.
That left the job up to Cullen Speed who had some pre-race fortune with several scratchings then a false start which resulted in him moving in to barrier 5. That was the only good luck he was to have as he had a shocker and finished last!
So a loss this week of $8.70. I'm now $2.20 in the red for the year and I seriously need to improve!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Weekend Tips - Week 3
An average effort last week. Let's see if I can improve.
Super 14. $20 Head to Head. Crusaders. (vs Brumbies)
A must win for the Crusaders and after a string of losses they will desperate for a good showing at home. The Brumbies will be fired up and with a semi final place on the line coupled with this potentially being George Smith's last game they have plenty to play for. Return $26.60
Super 14. $10 Multi. Hurricanes / Blues.
The Hurricanes have played well in the past few weeks but will need a concerted 80 minute effort if they are to topple the Waratahs in Sydney. This is a virtual quarter final and both teams will be up for this. At 2.25 for the Hurricanes I couldn't leave this alone. The second part of the multi sees an average Blues outfit take on a worse Chiefs side in a game with nothing riding on it. Blues should take win with the home advantage. Return $27.50
MLB. $10 Head to Head. Yankees (vs Minnesota)
The Yankees have started to wobble over the past few games but back at Yankee Stadium with Andy Petitte on the mound they should right the ship. Return $14.70
Timaru Harness Racing. $3 Win $7 Place. Race 3 number 9 - Cullen Speed.
Okay.... I'm giving speed one more chance to prove his ability. He's drawn 7 on the front row and if he can be in the top 3 or 4 turning for home he's a real chance. Return tbc
Super 14. $20 Head to Head. Crusaders. (vs Brumbies)
A must win for the Crusaders and after a string of losses they will desperate for a good showing at home. The Brumbies will be fired up and with a semi final place on the line coupled with this potentially being George Smith's last game they have plenty to play for. Return $26.60
Super 14. $10 Multi. Hurricanes / Blues.
The Hurricanes have played well in the past few weeks but will need a concerted 80 minute effort if they are to topple the Waratahs in Sydney. This is a virtual quarter final and both teams will be up for this. At 2.25 for the Hurricanes I couldn't leave this alone. The second part of the multi sees an average Blues outfit take on a worse Chiefs side in a game with nothing riding on it. Blues should take win with the home advantage. Return $27.50
MLB. $10 Head to Head. Yankees (vs Minnesota)
The Yankees have started to wobble over the past few games but back at Yankee Stadium with Andy Petitte on the mound they should right the ship. Return $14.70
Timaru Harness Racing. $3 Win $7 Place. Race 3 number 9 - Cullen Speed.
Okay.... I'm giving speed one more chance to prove his ability. He's drawn 7 on the front row and if he can be in the top 3 or 4 turning for home he's a real chance. Return tbc
Shane Bond retires
Shane Bond has announced his retirement from all cricket today which is sad but probably not a huge surprise.
When I look back at Bond's career I think "what could have been." Bond has undoubtedly been our best bowler since Hadlee and I always felt a lot more confident when he was in the team.
His record speaks for itself. In one dayers he took 147 wickets from 82 matches at an outstanding average of 20.88. Who can forget his 6 for 22 against Australia in the 2003 World Cup where he single handedly ripped the heart out of the Aussie top order. He was economical to boot conceding only 4.22 per over.
In tests he was just as impressive. Unfortunately he only managed to play 18 tests but still captured 87 wickets at an average of 22.09. For me the telling statistic is the matches NZ won when Bond was in the team. Out of the 18 test matches he played NZ won 10, drew 6 and lost only 2. This staggering winning percentage of 55% proves his worth to the New Zealand cricket team particularly when you compare it to the average winning percentage of 19%.
Injuries plagued Bond and cut short what should have been a glittering career. He should be placed amongst the greats of NZ cricket and I say "thanks for the memories Bondy".
When I look back at Bond's career I think "what could have been." Bond has undoubtedly been our best bowler since Hadlee and I always felt a lot more confident when he was in the team.
His record speaks for itself. In one dayers he took 147 wickets from 82 matches at an outstanding average of 20.88. Who can forget his 6 for 22 against Australia in the 2003 World Cup where he single handedly ripped the heart out of the Aussie top order. He was economical to boot conceding only 4.22 per over.
In tests he was just as impressive. Unfortunately he only managed to play 18 tests but still captured 87 wickets at an average of 22.09. For me the telling statistic is the matches NZ won when Bond was in the team. Out of the 18 test matches he played NZ won 10, drew 6 and lost only 2. This staggering winning percentage of 55% proves his worth to the New Zealand cricket team particularly when you compare it to the average winning percentage of 19%.
Injuries plagued Bond and cut short what should have been a glittering career. He should be placed amongst the greats of NZ cricket and I say "thanks for the memories Bondy".
We're sorry - NZRU
From Stuff
So will the next apology from the NZRU be for fielding the NZ Maori a racially selected team?
The New Zealand and South African rugby unions have apologised to Maori players who were excluded from All Blacks teams because of apartheid.I really don't know how sincere this apology can be. The apology should have been issued at the time for it to really hold any water but in any case I can see why the NZRU have done it. The current crop of board members had nothing to do with the original decision so if an apology is what people want then really it's no skin off their nose.
So will the next apology from the NZRU be for fielding the NZ Maori a racially selected team?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tips - Post Mortem
Once again the weekend started well and after an excellent second half performance by the Hurricanes I had $32 in the bank.
From there things turned a little pear shaped and in retrospect my bets were probably a little too risky.
I managed to get NZ and Australia in the 20/20 multi but Sri Lanka smashed the West Indies. No surprises there but I thought the WI would have performed better on home soil than that.
Cullen Speed in the Harness Racing at Rangiora was a little disappointing. The main issue was he got back in the running early and had to do too much work. He never looked in it as they sprinted down the home straight.
The golf was bullshit. Tiger pulled out in the last round which automatically gave the win to Mickleson. It sort of looked like Tiger threw his toys out of the cot after a bad start - if that is the case then that bodes very poorly for Tiger's future.
So an $18 loss on the weekend but I'm still in the black overall (just!)
From there things turned a little pear shaped and in retrospect my bets were probably a little too risky.
I managed to get NZ and Australia in the 20/20 multi but Sri Lanka smashed the West Indies. No surprises there but I thought the WI would have performed better on home soil than that.
Cullen Speed in the Harness Racing at Rangiora was a little disappointing. The main issue was he got back in the running early and had to do too much work. He never looked in it as they sprinted down the home straight.
The golf was bullshit. Tiger pulled out in the last round which automatically gave the win to Mickleson. It sort of looked like Tiger threw his toys out of the cot after a bad start - if that is the case then that bodes very poorly for Tiger's future.
So an $18 loss on the weekend but I'm still in the black overall (just!)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Weekend Tips - Week 2
Okay... so I begin week two with some confidence after a pretty solid performance in the first week. At present my balance stands at $24.50 profit.
Here's my $50 worth of bets for this weekend:
Super 14. $25 Head to Head. Hurricanes (vs Reds)
The Hurricanes are a team on the improve and will have gained some confidence after last week's win. Home ground advantage should see them home but with the Reds desperate to stay in the top four this should be a cracker of a game. Return $32.
Cricket. 20/20 World Cup $5 Multi. Australia, West Indies, New Zealand
A bit of a punt particularly in light of the unpredictability of 20/20 cricket. The Aussies have been in good form and play India in a match that could go either way - if Aussie turn up with their A game they should win. The hosts West Indies take on Sri Lanka and although SL will be favourites I'm tipping an upset. The Blackcaps take on an average Pakistan team and should be too good. Return $34.65
Harness Racing Rangiora Race 2. $5 Each Way No 11 Cullen Speed
Cullen Speed was unlucky last weekend after being blocked for room in the home straight. He has been steadily improving this campaign and is overdue for a trip to the winner's circle. Return tbc.
PGA Tour Golf- The Players Championship. $10 Head to Head. Tiger Woods (vs Mickelson)
50/50 bet this one but I saw enough from Tiger in today's round to suggest he will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Mickelson has been in superb form recently so this could go either way. Return $18.
Here's my $50 worth of bets for this weekend:
Super 14. $25 Head to Head. Hurricanes (vs Reds)
The Hurricanes are a team on the improve and will have gained some confidence after last week's win. Home ground advantage should see them home but with the Reds desperate to stay in the top four this should be a cracker of a game. Return $32.
Cricket. 20/20 World Cup $5 Multi. Australia, West Indies, New Zealand
A bit of a punt particularly in light of the unpredictability of 20/20 cricket. The Aussies have been in good form and play India in a match that could go either way - if Aussie turn up with their A game they should win. The hosts West Indies take on Sri Lanka and although SL will be favourites I'm tipping an upset. The Blackcaps take on an average Pakistan team and should be too good. Return $34.65
Harness Racing Rangiora Race 2. $5 Each Way No 11 Cullen Speed
Cullen Speed was unlucky last weekend after being blocked for room in the home straight. He has been steadily improving this campaign and is overdue for a trip to the winner's circle. Return tbc.
PGA Tour Golf- The Players Championship. $10 Head to Head. Tiger Woods (vs Mickelson)
50/50 bet this one but I saw enough from Tiger in today's round to suggest he will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Mickelson has been in superb form recently so this could go either way. Return $18.
Facepalm - Auckland
Auckland have done well in managing to secure the WRC rally this year. So what do they do? They make the drivers drive from the Viaduct to the Domain in rush hour traffic!!!
Wtf were they thinking? One of the drivers managed to burn out his clutch before even reaching the shakedown.
And speaking of facepalms - why is the shakedown on a tar sealed surface when most of the stages (including the first stage) are being run on gravel?
Indications are that NZ will struggle to continue to host the event due to the huge cost in getting the teams here and things like this certainly wont help the chances it will remain here.
Wtf were they thinking? One of the drivers managed to burn out his clutch before even reaching the shakedown.
And speaking of facepalms - why is the shakedown on a tar sealed surface when most of the stages (including the first stage) are being run on gravel?
Indications are that NZ will struggle to continue to host the event due to the huge cost in getting the teams here and things like this certainly wont help the chances it will remain here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
