My old mate Rooster always chuckled when recalling an exasperated coach’s ¾ time “team talk”. “I’ve got only one thing to say to youse blokes”, he barked at the Alexandra Reserves, “and that’s nuthin’”. Its much more fun when coaches avoid the “one week at a time” drivel and offer something from the heart. Last [Read more]
ALMANAC RACING
April 30, 2010 by 7 Comments
Anyone who has sought my advice over Autumn racing will understand why I’m saying that the punting purse is very low. Since I am not in a tipster’s club or Quaddy team, there is every possibility that they could “go around” without me at Caulfield this Saturday. The only “early mail” I have thus far [Read more]
Crio’s Question: What are your sports forecasting rules?
April 27, 2010 by 22 Comments
As this weekend’s results attest, punting and picking winners are tough tasks. To simplify the predicament we look for trends, adages, even superstitions. My 2010 theory (at the moment) involves laying teams the week after they’ve played the Dogs. The Pies fell in by a point v Dees but it is otherwise effective! Past advice [Read more]
A long weekend of punting
April 23, 2010 by 6 Comments
“Dog’s Breakfast” is an ill-advised phrase in a racing column – especially into the jumps season – but there can be no denying that this weekend’s races are “all over the place”. Victoria’s main day is at Flemington on Sunday, with Sandown and Bendigo “featuring” on the Saturday and Monday.
Crio’s Q: How do the awful sides of the past stack up to today’s Tigers
April 19, 2010 by 18 Comments
by Chris Riordan Sunday’s MCG shellacking seems to have confirmed pundits’ suspicions that Richmand are easily the worst team in the comp and, with expansion concessions in place, their future is dire. This is the Club, remember, that Oracle Sheeds suggested was ready for a Flag last year! But they are crap. Let’s celebrate this [Read more]
Racing: Doncaster Day at Randwick
April 16, 2010 by 13 Comments
by Chris Riordan Correspondent “Carringbush” joined our forum last week with some salient observations from his visit to Randwick’s Derby Day. The small crowd figure was a point of obvious concern and we can only hope that more people recognize the quality of tomorrow’s Doncaster Day and that the AJC starts to regain kudos for [Read more]
Crio’s Question: How did you get through a mid-match wedding?
April 12, 2010 by 46 Comments
by Chris Riordan Admit it. We’ve all found ourselves in circumstances where we need a score…I mean a footy score, but have had to institute a covert operation. Whether overseas, at a meeting or even at a wedding (!!!), in what unusual situations have you managed to get your fix?
AJC Derby: Quality and intrigue
April 9, 2010 by 14 Comments
by Chris Riordan Racing purists love the Randwick Carnival which begins this Saturday with The Derby. The AJC Derby is Australia’s premiere 3 year-old event and the 2010 edition has quality and intrigue. Whilst discards like Manhattan Rain reinforce my “no pre-post” evangelism, those who make it to the barriers are chasing prestige, stud kudos [Read more]
Crio’s Question: How are the experts going?
April 6, 2010 by 4 Comments
by Chris Riordan It’s not just the players who face judgement as a new season gets underway. Footy fans have been hit by a wall of forecasts/previews/broadcasts/reviews…some funny, some stern, some pithy… How are they going? Reviews and recommendations welcome as we sift for the best footy info and entertainment.
Horseracing: Barmy Oakbank and a wet Rosehill offer plenty
April 2, 2010 by 5 Comments
Turning my racing calendar to April has clarified the scheduling confusion caused by an “early Easter”. Monday, it seems, has been conceded to glorified midweekers at Moonee Valley and Canterbury and the AJC will get the subsequent three Saturdays for Randwick’s Autumn features. Easter Saturday is a racing bonanza, from the quirky Oakbank via some [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Is Riewoldt the AFL’s Number 1 “Mr Irreplaceable”?
March 29, 2010 by 37 Comments
by Chris Riordan Budge has this theory that you could never back St Kilda for the flag until they run down the race on the big Saturday…more specifically, until their big Number 12 leads them on to the ground. Despite a galaxy of All-Australians and the meanest defence in history, without Roo they have no [Read more]
Racing: Rosehill Guineas Day
March 26, 2010 by 5 Comments
by Chris Riordan I’m confused. The Rosehill Guineas meeting this Saturday is a beauty with excellent races across the day and much interest in the juvenile Gr2 Pago Pago and Magic Night Stakes’ as the Slipper markets remain in flux. But isn’t next week Easter? Stawell, Oakbank, AJC Derby/Doncaster?
Crio’s Question: What’s your favourite ‘brilliant debut’ memory?
March 22, 2010 by 55 Comments
by Chris Riordan One of the real joys of Round One is the unveiling of a new star (or sometimes an old one in a new position). Which of Melbourne’s young tyros will seize the “rising star” mantle or do you have a smokey for the opening game? Remember Mitch Robinson last year? It’s time [Read more]
Racing: A Red Letter day across the country
March 19, 2010 by 5 Comments
by Chris Riordan Back to reality this week as Caulfield is justifiably overwhelmed by Rosehill’s drawcard. With good noms tonight and bumper fields in both Sydney and Adelaide on Saturday, it is little wonder the Victorian metro meeting is a bit skinny. I’m going to Moonee Valley Friday night and then the MCG Saturday so [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Got any interstate intelligence?
March 15, 2010 by 25 Comments
by Chris Riordan Fixtures (courtesy mostly of Real Estate joints) are filling local letter boxes and now fans are hatching plans for the season ahead. I had a beer with some old mates last Friday. Their footy attendance has dwindled as other distractions add to the jumbled nature of today’s football timeframe. But, of course, [Read more]
Racing: Almanac on the money on Sequel Saturday
March 15, 2010 by 7 Comments
by Chris Riordan It was a wonderful day’s racing at Flemington and Randwick and, I must add, Almanackers were once again well directed if they looked to our site for guidance. I warned to avoid the early races and the first “shortie” got rolled with the winner, Master Harry (Moody/Nolen) very impressive.
Racing: Looking for a change of script on Sequel Saturday
March 12, 2010 by 21 Comments
by Chris Riordan Flemington gets a bonus Sequel Saturday this week with the dual Group Ones, Australian Cup and Guineas, icing an already interesting Blamey Stakes card. The VRC has done the right thing in offering free admission and hopefully a bumper crowd will witness the last really good meeting before focus shifts to Sydney [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Got any wild weather sports memories?
March 9, 2010 by 27 Comments
EXTREME SPORTS (fans) by Chris Riordan As recounted in the “Soppy Saturday” review for this site, Flemington’s incredible hailstorm provoked widespread discussion on other awful conditions we’ve endured at the races. Sports goers often recall extreme conditions as a badge of honour. I’ll never forget the numbing rain and wind that seemed appropriate on the [Read more]
Racing: All hail the brave punters
March 8, 2010 by 2 Comments
by Chris Riordan When you have been round the traps, as I have, there’s a tendency to greet most occasions with a …”but I remember…”. Cowering under the inadequate cover of Flemington’s main betting ring yesterday, I proposed to the nearest fogey – “Were you here for Van der Hum?” “Yes”, he panted,” but that [Read more]
Racing: Crio’s Super Saturday tip – watch the weather
March 5, 2010 by 20 Comments
by Chris Riordan Flemington’s triple Group One Super Saturday promises to live up to its billing. The “Festival of Racing” has been beset with problems, especially the poor attendances and the withdrawal of anticipated drawcards. Negativity and Nikolic have too often been on sportspages instead of Starspangled and Little Lonhro. But at last the threatening [Read more]
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