Sport is made for betting

A smattering of good races tonight at Woodbine in Toronto, a track that regularly attracts European visitors when the cash is on the table.

Previewing his highlight of the night in his own inimitable style, it's Jon da Silva, @creamontop.

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E P Taylor Stakes
US$500,000, Grade 1 for F&M 3&Up 10 Furlongs, Turf, Woodbine 1548 local, 2048 BST
It's a measure of reality for Canadian Racing that the once $2Mn [CAD] Pattison Canadian International is now worth $800,000 Canadian. Anyway looks a dull affair with Erupt and Idaho among European 'stars' racing. However of more interest to me is the E P Taylor for fillies and mares of 3 years old and upwards. It has some UK&I contingent and frankly I don't want to assess Idaho ever again.... Thus in a blow against Hollywood I will cover the Ladies of the Turf in a race worth 500,000 Loonies or 300 Large in the old country's currency.
Incidentally E P Taylor was a fuck-off ric…

The highlight of the day at Caulfield is the stallion-maker race, the Caulfield Guineas. Traditionally a battle between the best 3yo males (not just colts) from both sides of the Murray River, this year we've got a very good filly in there as well to make the race that little bit trickier.

Lining up for the preview is international racing aficionado, Luke Humphreys, @WorldCallingLuke.

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Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas
Group 1, $2,000,000 1600m
Caulfield 0630 BST, 1630 AEST
ODDS LISTED ARE CROWNBET (FRIDAY MORNING BST)

1 The Mission (40/1): Definitely one of the pace angles. Likely to be one
of the leaders and then weaken if form is anything to go by. No chance if
ridden desperately early.

2 Summer Passage (SCRATCHED):

3 Azazel (40/1): Has been running to the line well of late but looks up
against it at this class. Likely to come with one run, especially with
question mark over the distance.

4 Sircconi (33/1): Has been running well of late after having no luc…

Well, it's finally here. The big dream of Racing NSW has come to fruition. It might not have attracted any overseas runners this year, yet it is as deep a field as you could possibly get at 1200m from the local contingent. From a UK perspective, there's been plenty of media interest in this part of the world, which can only be good for the future. Locally, the argument that it's been the most hyped race ever in Sydney could be rebutted with "so why haven't they been doing this in the autumn for the past 50 years?", and "Of course it has, they've written blank cheques galore to pay for it!". It's when the excitement isn't self-seeded that it really counts.
The proof will be in the pudding. The Pegasus in the US, the race which inspired this one, seems to be in a bit of trouble (although you have to take the comments from the controversial owner of California Chrome with a grain of salt), so hopefully they've learned lessons and planned…

A huge weekend of racing across the globe and in this part of the world, it's Future Champions weekend at Newmarket with plenty of promising (and expensive) juveniles on show. International racing aficionado Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke steps in to preview the G1 Fillies' Mile.

And a reminder for anyone ever interested in typing a few words. This blog runs on providing the opportunity for aspiring writers to have an outlet for their work. It need not be exclusive and I'm more than happy to point to more of your work/original source/your site . At the very least it should improve your punting as you have to get organised to construct the preview!

Note available prices have obviously changed significantly with the favourite not going to post.

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Bet365 Fillies’ Mile
Group 1, £567,500 1600m
Newmarket 1535 BST, 0135 AEST
ODDS LISTED ARE BEST AVAILABLE (FRIDAY MORNING)

1 Efaadah (14/1): French filly prepared by Freddy Head for Sheik
Hamdan and ridden by …

A big day for the French racing season with trials day at Chantilly. International racing aficionado and racecalling prodigy Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke, has put a mountain of work into this preview. And by tomorrow, you'll probably be able to find all his calls of the races on YouTube as well. -----------------------------2017 Arc Trials Form CommentAh this time of year again, anything that has got to do with the words Arc de Triomphe instantly attracts me and this meeting is one my favourite’s of the season. It comes around quick, feels not long ago Treve was going for three, however for some reason it feels like Longchamp hasn’t had a meeting for ages, despite those two things being on the same programme. Ideally this programme was supposed to be the first back at Longchamp but we’re back at Chantilly again and go back to Longchamp in April, as always an interesting and enthralling day of racing. Race 1 - 9:50pm from Chantilly – France (times shown are Australian - add 9hrs…