Horse Racing

Lucia Valentina (outside) tops the Caulfield Cup betting markets while Brambles (inside) has made the final field after scratchings. Photo (c) Race Horse Photos Australia

There are horse racing meetings all over the country this weekend, but the feature event is without doubt the Group 1 Caulfield Cup in Melbourne; playing host to 18 leading stayers battling it out in the world’s richest handicap race over 2400m

A capacity field of 18 runners plus four emergencies was confirmed for the Caulfield Cup on Wednesday, however several niggling issues and sickness over a tumultuous 24 hours has seen a total of four leading chances scratched from the final field, arguably highlighted by Japanese sensation Bande.

Contesting a form line similar to that of Japanese superstar Delta Blues in the lead-up to his memorable victory in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Bande received the greatest share of attention from punters for success in the Caulfield Cup and was clear market mover at the time of his scratching.

Noted to be harbouring a niggling tendon injury, Bande’s shock removal from the Caulfield Cup final field has blown betting on the featured event wide open, with punters now offered even better value in both win and place markets.

Lucia Valentina has returned to racing in scintillating form this time in, and while opening and maintaining status at the fore of betting markets, has now received the biggest share of wagers following Bande’s removal and has cut into clear favouritism.

Early Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer is offered at particularly generous odds for success in the 2014 Caulfield Cup, while first emergency Brambles has moved in from opening odds of $21 to currently feature at a quote of less-than $10.

The Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m) and Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) for mares are also set to run at Caulfield on Saturday, while the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m), Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) cap off a truly impressive day of racing; offering even more opportunities to place a winning bet.

Royal Randwick will play host to Sydney’s major card on Saturday, highlighted by the Group 3 The Nivison, contested by mares over 1200m.

Other Sports

The final Bledisloe test for the year between Australian and New Zealand will be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night and is shaping as an extremely interesting betting game.

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup with a comfortable 51-20 victory at Auckland’s Eden Park in August and currently figure as clear $1.28 favourites to cap the series with a win over the Wallabies ($3.80).

The A-League enters Round 2 this weekend and is highlighted by matches between bitter rivals and week 1 winners Melbourne Victory ($2.75) and Adelaide United ($2.45) and a Sydney derby between FC ($2.55) and the Wanderers ($2.65).

Horse Racing

Rich Enuff is the favourite to win the 2014 Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

The Spring Racing Carnival kicks up another gear this weekend, highlighted by Caulfield Guineas Day in Victoria and Spring Champion Stakes Day at Sydney’s Royal Randwick.

The Caulfield Guineas Day card is understandably headlined by its namesake Group 1 for three-year-olds and will this year feature a particularly talented list of thirteen colts and geldings. Classy colt Rich Enuff has returned to racing in exceptional form this season; taking out each of the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) in succession. Clear favourite to continue his run through the Caulfield Guineas, Ken Keys’ stable star will have to find an extra gear if to overcome the likes of Group 1 champion over a mile Almalad, Stan Fox Stakes winner Shooting To Win and classy Queenslander Looks Like The Cat.

Boasting a total of ten black type races on Saturday, Caulfield Guineas Day will also play host to three other Group 1 races in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Caulfield Stakes (2000m).

Attracting a field of 15 milers, the Toorak Handicap will see classy mare Commanding Jewel return to the highest level of Australian racing for the first time since taking out the 2012 edition of the Thousand Guineas, but faces stiff opposition via well-trialled runner Speediness, in-form stallion Bull Point and last start Group 1 winner Trust In A Gust.

A less-than capacity field of eleven three-year-old fillies have been confirmed for the Thousand Guineas, highlighted by some of the autumn carnival’s standout two-year-olds. Steadily building to the task over two starts this time in, Go Indy Go displayed a superior turn of foot to win the Group 1 Champagne Stakes over a mile in April but well and truly has her hands will this weekend when lining up against Bring Me The Maid, in-form filly Afleet Esprit and Stakes winner Sabatini.

A key form indicator for the Group 1 Cox Plate, the Caulfield Stakes is shaping as the day’s most exciting and well-contested race, with several leading fancies confirmed for a final competitive hit-out. Peter Moody-trained Dissident has returned to racing in career-best form this time, but undoubtedly faces his biggest test to date in the Caulfield Stakes when racing off with Sacred Falls, Fawkner, Happy Trails and further six Group 1 winners.

The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) is the main event at Royal Randwick on Saturday and is shaping as an extremely interesting betting race.

Classy three-year-old First Seal won the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at a jog last weekend and is clear favourite for the Spring Champion, but is yet to contest an event over a mile. Godolphin runner Sweynesse is yet to be defeated over four competitive starts and looks like biggest danger after comfortably taking out the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes over 1800m last start. Paul Messara’s in-form three-year-old Panzer Division is also worth consideration at generous odds of $7 for success.

Football

Season 10 of the A-League kicks off on Friday night with a match between leading premiership chances Melbourne Victory and the Western Sydney Wanders. The Victory have been impressive in recent FFA Cup matches and start clear favourites, however the Wanderers arguably offer punters the best value for money having also displayed exceptional form in reach the Asian Champions League Grand Final over recent weeks.

Other notable matches in week 1 of the A-League include an F3 Derby between the Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC vs David Villa and Melbourne City and current champions Brisbane Roar hosting Adelaide United.

Other Sports

Pakistan hosts Australia in the 2nd of their three game ODI series in the UAE in Friday night, and are aiming to get their campaign back on track after a demoralising loss in Game 1. The Aussies are clear favourites to seal the series in Game 2 and offer great value particularly in batting and scoring markets.

NRL Grand Final

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will make their first Grand Final appearance in more than 40 years when lining up against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

A cult favourite amongst the NRL community, Souths ($1.36) have charged into the Grand Final on the back of a massive forward pack and slick, confident back line and are clear favourites to take the Summons Provan Trophy back to Redfern.

Sneaking into the finals after ending the regular season in position seven, The Bulldogs ($3.25) having seemingly timed their run of form to perfection; following up losses in Rounds 25 and 26 with three impressive finals wins over the Storm, Sea Eagles and Panthers.

Horse Racing

Royal Descent is the favourite in betting markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Photo (c) Steve Hart

The first weekend of October truly marks the beginning of Australian racing’s busiest period, with four Group 1’s, five Group 2’s, two Group 3’s and a plethora of Listed events over meetings Royal Randwick and Flemington.

The Epsom Handicap (1600m) undoubtedly highlights Randwick’s Super Saturday card, this year pegging 15 classy entrants against each other for Group 1 glory.

Champion miler Boban took out the 2013 Epsom Handicap in a photo finish, and has been charged with carrying a race-high 58kgs for his title defence on Saturday. Giving two and a half kilos to his closest rival Royal Descent, the Bernardini gelding will have to find ideal running position early if to overcome a field which also includes the likes of Toydini, Star Rolling and the resurgent Laser Hawk.

A maiden Group 1 champion will be crowned in the Flight Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, with just seven three-year-old fillies confirmed to line up for Race 8. First Seal and Winx have each claimed a Group 2 victory this time in however neither are trialled over 1600m competitively, allowing for an open betting race.

The Metropolitan caps off the impressive Randwick card, as several Cups prospects line up for the season’s first Group 1 over 2400m. British import Spillway is aiming to secure a position in the Caulfield Cup with a Metropolitan victory, but will need to find an extra gear to overcome Chris Waller’s impressive hand which includes the likes of Junoob, Bagman, Opinion and Our Voodoo Prince.

The Turnbull Stakes headlines a strong nine race card at Flemington on Saturday, highlighted by some of the season’s most exciting staying prospects. Early 2013 Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune has returned to racing in smart form this time in and will meet early 2014 Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer in the Turnbull. Arguably the weekend’s best betting race, Group 1 champions Green Moon, Super Cool and Hawkspur are all available at excellent odds and are proven over the distance.

Cups prospects will also do battle in The Bart Cummings at Flemington on Saturday, while Emirates Stakes hopefuls River Lad and Smokin’ Joey meet with in-form sprinter Chautauqua and Temple Of Boom in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).

Other Sports

The English Premier League Season enters Week 7 on Saturday and offers punters particularly good value, as several similarly-formed sides face off.

The round is undoubtedly highlighted by a grudge match between bitter London rivals Chelsea ($1.67) and Arsenal ($5). The last time these sides met, Jose Mourinho’s men delivered the Gunners a demoralizing 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge.

Horse Racing

Top sprinter Lankan Rupee will look to return to winning form in the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Friday night. Photo (c) Race Horse Photos Australia

Thanks largely to the AFL Grand Final on Saturday afternoon, Victorian meets will bookend the weekend’s racing schedule at Moonee Valley and Caulfield on Friday night and Sunday respectively, with Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens will play host to Golden Pendant Day on Saturday.

The Moonee Valley card is undoubtedly highlighted by the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m), which will see the world’s current leading sprinter line up against the likes of Buffering, Rebel Dane and Angelic Light; Unpretentious the clear outsider in the small field of five.

Securing four wins from as many starts over his autumn campaign including three at the highest level of Australian racing, Lankan Rupee was delivered a shock defeat at the hand of Angelic Light in the Group 1 McEwen Stakes (1000m) first-up this season, but remains clear favourite in markets to win a fourth Group 1 title.

Friday night’s Moonee Valley meet will also see some of the Spring Carnival’s most exciting three-year-old prospects duke it out in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m), while the Group 2 Stocks Stakes will see classy mares Commanding Jewel and Dear Demi duke it out once more.

The Group 3 Golden Pendant (1400m) headlines an eight race card at Rosehill on Saturday, and offers punters exceptional value from a betting standpoint.

Classy mare Catkins has returned to the track in typically scintillating form this season, and as a result is offered as a particularly short priced favourite. My Sabeel ran a strong second to Catkins in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) most recently, and has so-far received the greatest market share of attention from punters; registering as clear market mover.

The Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) is set to feature a showdown between Golden Rose placegetters Scissor Kick and Shooting To Win on Saturday, while the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) could easily be taken out by at least half of the 14 horse field.

Racing wraps up in style on Sunday, with the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) headlining a Caulfield card which also boasts the Prelude events for both the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas.

Peter Moody’s classy stallion Dissident opened as favourite in betting markets for the Group 1 feature but has surprisingly drifted as punters have turned their attention towards the likes of Sweet Idea, Cluster, Trust In A Gust and Moody’s other entrant, A Time For Julia.

AFL Grand Final

The 2014 AFL season comes to an end in fitting fashion this weekend as the league’s two stand out teams, the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks face off for the flag for the second time in three years.

The Swans ($1.56) have been favourites for the Premiership nearly all season, but are sure to be pushed to the limit by a finals-hardened Hawks ($2.50) side who comfortably disposed of Fremantle in the 2013 GF.

Awarded to the best player on ground in each season’s Grand Final, the Norm Smith Medal is one of the highest personal honours achievable in AFL. Won in 2013 by Hawks defender Brian Lake, the Norm Smith looks likely to go the way of a Swan, with Josh Kennedy and Lance Franklin currently sharing the top line of betting ($8).

NRL Preliminary Finals

Following a week off, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers will play host to the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs respectively to decide who will do battle in next weekend’s Grand Final.

South Sydney ($1.70) destroyed Manly in week one of the finals to secure easy passage to this week’s Prelims, while the Roosters ($2.20) were shocked by the Panthers in week one and almost blew a 30 point lead over the Cowboys last week. This match is sure to be the highlight of the NRL week, with many touting these teams as likely Grand Final combatants at the beginning of the season.

Unable to string together much of a consistent run of form over the early stages of the season, Canterbury ($1.76) have hit their straps at the right end of the season, with their tough and grinding style enough to see off a spirited Sea Eagles fight last week. Penrith ($2.10) have been without doubt the league’s surprise packets this year and are incredibly just 80 minutes away from their first Grand Final appearance since 2003.

Other Sports

The English Premier League kicks up another gear this weekend, highlighted by the Merseyside Derby between bitter rivals Liverpool and Everton. Neither side has started the 2014/15 season as the would have liked, adding an extra incentive to what is sure to be a tough fixture.

Horse Racing

Silent Achiever is the early favourite to win the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Photo (c) Steve Hart

There are horse racing meetings right around the country on Saturday, but the feature events are taking place at Caulfield in Melbourne and Royal Randwick in Sydney.

The Caulfield card is headlined by the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), which is always a key lead-up race for major events like the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

The 2014 Underwood Stakes has not drawn as strong a field as it did last year, with the 2013 edition of the event dubbed the race of the millennium, but there are still plenty of talented gallopers set to contest the Group 1 event.

Talented mare Silent Achiever is set to start the Underwood Stakes as favourite, but the likes of Chris Waller-trained Foreteller, imported galloper Stipulate, Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer and popular gelding Happy Trails could all win the $400,000 race.

The Caulfield meeting also features the running of the Naturalism Stakes, which offers the winner direct entry into the Caulfield Cup, as well as the return of star mare Samaready in the How Now Stakes.

The Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) is the main event at Royal Randwick in Sydney this weekend and it is an extremely interesting betting race.

Talented three-year-old Panzer Division will be having just his fourth race start, but has been the best backed runner in George Main Stakes betting markets, while the Chris Waller-trained trio of Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and Hawkspur as well as Tramway Stakes winner Lucia Valentina are all winning chances this weekend.

Champion filly Earthquake will have the chance to return to winning form when she takes on Winx in the Tea Rose Stakes, while strong fields have been assembled for The Shorts, Hill Stakes and Heritage Stakes.

AFL Finals

It is the penultimate weekend of the 2014 AFL season and four teams remain in the hunt for Premiership glory.

The Sydney Swans ($1.22) have long been favourites to win the AFL Premiership and they are at a short price to qualify for their second Grand Final in three years by beating North Melbourne ($4.50) at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Port Adelaide ($3.20) recorded an upset victory over Fremantle last weekend and they will go into their clash with Hawthorn ($1.37) at the MCG on Saturday full of confidence, but the Hawks are clear favourites to keep alive their chances of winning back-to-back flags.

NRL Finals

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers have already secured their place in the NRL Preliminary Finals, but North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury Bulldogs must win this weekend to stay in the hunt for the 2014 NRL Premiership.

North Queensland ($2.70) have been in excellent form of late and have an outstanding record against the Roosters ($1.48) in recent years, but the defending premiers have been well backed to set up a blockbuster Preliminary Final clash with South Sydney.

Canterbury ($1.62) struggled into the finals, but they returned to their best form with an outstanding victory over the Melbourne Storm last weekend, while the internal drama at Manly ($2.32) finally seems to be catching up with the side and they are the underdogs to progress to the Preliminary Finals.

Other Sports

The English Premier League Season continues this weekend and there are a number of key matches set to take place in the early hours on Sunday morning, while Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season features a plenty of betting opportunities.