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Wider coverage of the Breeders Cup two-day meeting, this time from world traveller and international racing enthusiast, Jon Thompson. --------------------- Breeders Cup Overview Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November Santa Anita The Breeders’ Cup is not only a spectacle for horse racing fans it also presents a golden opportunity for serious players to make a gambling profit. These huge wagering Breeders Cup pools are filled with ‘square money’ making the payoffs, especially for exotic wagers, often incredibly high. There are some that will confess to not being a fan of the extended Friday/Saturday format but with 13 races instead of the original ‘Great Eight’ this is what we are faced with. It presents an enormous task in trying to comprehend all the global form on offer as well as the changing circumstances of those racing on Lasix against those not. This is not a guide on every horse, and in fact it is not a guide on every race, but it is an attempt to point out some

It's Breeders' Cup weekend at the fabulous Santa Anita racecourse in California. Regular American racing contributor Jon da Silva, @creamontop , attacks the Distaff. Which to people outside the inner circle of the racing industry, means it is restricted to female horses. ---------------- Breeders Cup Distaff (& others snippets) At the Breeders Cup it's frustrating that the state of the track enters the picture. On Turf when the clerk is not inbred or a drunk this is obvious from the going description. However in addition to going changes Dirt tracks can be speed favouring i.e. front runners never come back or closer favouring or even fair. The appearance of these biases can also be an illusion based on of cognitive failure - "my bet lost because of a speed-favouring track" feels better than "I backed that nag with no speed who closed slower than Per Mertesacker" Last year when Goldencents led all the way in the Mile it was said to be a "G

Eponymous race of the day is the AAMI Victoria Derby. Every year we have the debate about whether a Derby so early in the season should be shortened. Nothing's changed over the past few decades, we're still not breeding great stayers, but perhaps, just perhaps, the penny is finally dropping with local breeders and the strength of the Derby might start improving as the likes of Americain, Fiorente and others start adding to the breeding mix. Back to this year's race and it revolves around one horse. Let's ask the shrewd gents at Premium Punting which side of him they want to be... ------------------------ AAMI Victoria Derby G1, 2500m, for 3yo Race 7 - 3:45PM local time (0445 London) By Premium Punting Website Twitter: @premiumpunting Form link Speed Map This map provided is pre-settling, so you can see what each runner faces to get to their desired position and how much early energy will be exerted in doing so. It also shows the problems faced by some

There is simply nothing finer than Derby Day at Flemington. You can have your Royal Ascot, Breeders Cup, Arc day.... Derby Day beats them all, and it's rare that the Derby is actually the best race of the day! Group races from go to whoa, there's nothing finer. Taking the reins to preview the WFA feature of the day is long-time contributor, Kieran Fitzgerald, @kjob85 -------------------------- Longines Mackinnon Stakes Group 1, WFA, 2000m 3pm Melbourne time (0400 London) Form guide link 1. Side Glance - scratched 2. Happy Trails (13) 59kg A 7 year old gelding purchased for just $11,000, Happy Trails has been a great success for his trainer Paul Beshara, having amassed over $2m in prize money including Group One wins at Flemington in the Turnbull Stakes (over this distance) and Emirates Stakes, as well as a close second in last year’s Cox Plate. His best result this prep has been a second place in the Underwood to another runner here, Foreteller. His other runs have

This one had all the signs of an utter scam. Unfortunately, the persons behind the fund are incredibly shady people and others who tried to expose them were threatened with violence and law suits, in no specific order, so it had go unchecked for a while. With thanks to The Age... Peter Foster implicated in international betting scandal Hundreds of investors in an international gambling syndicate run by notorious conman Peter Foster could lose millions of dollars following his dramatic arrest at a luxury property near Byron Bay on Tuesday morning. Foster is believed to have operated the Sports Trading Club while hiding from the Australian Crime Commission and other law enforcement agencies on the NSW north coast since September last year. ... "It doesn't matter what they claim on their website, Fosters' home in Byron Bay was the headquarters. This is another massive scam that is only coming to light now. It will collapse like a house of cards," the source said.

The weight-for-age championship of Australia takes place every spring at the quirky Moonee Valley racecourse. No superstars this year, just a field of very good horses and thus it looks like being 7/2 the field. Two previews to post for the great race - first up, the pros from Premium Punting. ---------------------------- Sportingbet Cox Plate Group 1 WFA 2040m Race 8 - 5:40PM (0740 UK time) By Premium Punting Website Twitter: @premiumpunting Speed Map – No queries on who leads As stated above, there is no doubt that The Cleaner will be scooting across as they past the post the first time to lead from Side Glance, Almalad with Royal Descent & Fawkner to get excellent runs on inside just off the speed, exerting very little energy to lob into those spots. It is sure to be a very genuine gallop well above the historical benchmark. The map reads very awkwardly for international raider Adelaide, who does have the capability as proven last start to go back, but if he

It might have been rather wet this week, and a rather soggy track to race on, but it's still British Champions Day at Ascot. Based on the quality available for the respective races, it's hard to argue against the opening race being the strongest field of the day. Up steps Adam Webb, @adamwebb121 ------------------------ Long Distance Cup 1.45pm, Group 2, 2m QIPCO British Champions Day begins Ascot’s final flat card of the year with the stayers in the Long Distance Cup and with the persistent deluge of rain that has hit the Berkshire track this week, we are in for National Hunt style ground. To win this race you will need a thorough stayer who gets every single yard of the two mile trip. Leading Light has proved to be one of the best stayers on either side of the Irish Sea this season. Last year’s Ladbrokes St Leger winner started his season with a bloodless success at Navan in the Vintage Crop Stakes over a mile and six furlongs beating Royal Diamond and Pal

Race 9 - 5:40PM G1 Caulfield Cup (2400 METRES) Preview from Premium Punting - @premiumpunting Speed Map This map provided is pre-settling, so you can see what each runner faces to get to their desired position and how much early energy will be exerted in doing so. It also shows the problems faced by some runners if they choose to run to their previous historical pattern. As the majority of speed maps show with a big field, there does look to be very genuine speed in the race with Japanese horse Bande going to take the lead from Lidari and Renew (if he gets a run). Brambles will then be attempting to find cover in the 2nd-3rd pair. Highly doubt connections of Big Memory will be taking the risk of going forward and expect he will shuffle back through the field. Few horses drawn wide like Sea Moon & The Offer have early decisions to make to prevent from being trapped very wide past the post the first time. PrePost Market: As always, our markets are set to 100% with ever

2014 Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup 2400m Group 1 Track- Good 3 Preview by Lachie Brown, @LBrownTweet While not the strongest Caulfield Cup it’s sure to be an intriguing contest especially with so many planning to go onto the Melbourne Cup. Lucia Valentina is clear favourite at around $4 however it does look like a fairly even race. Speed Definitely won’t be the fastest edition of the Caulfield Cup. The runners yet to be seen in Australia are Bande, Admire Rakti and Seismos. Bande will lead from his middle gate, Seismos up there and Admire Rakti midfield. The early speed map suggested a wall of horses behind Bande, among them are Lidari, Gris Caro (now scratched) and Sydney horses Big Memory and The Offer (doubtful). From inside gates Green Moon and Stipulate are sure to get good runs while the likes of Junoob, Rising Romance and Who Shot Thebarman may be out very wide as they leave the straight. Lucia Valentina will also be midfield judging from her last run. Sea Moon and Dandi

A bombshell dropped in the NRL today as the epitome one-man team, Jarrad Hayne of Parramatta has announced he's heading to bright lights of the NFL. But will it work? Regular rugby league contributor Chris Ryan, @imdabomb82 has his say on today's hot topic. -------------------- Hayne to NFL – What does it mean for Parramatta and Jarryd Hayne? Wow. That’s the word on every rugby league fans lips right now, especially Parramatta fans, although the f word follows for the Eels faithful. The out of the blue news has hit this morning that Jarryd Hayne is leaving rugby league and the Parramatta Eels to pursue his NFL dream. So beyond all the shock and hyperbole, what does this actually mean for both the Eels and what are the realistic chances for Hayne? First of all a little about me, I’m a Parramatta Eels member and lifetime supporter. I’m also a professional punter who analyses rugby league religiously, watches all 201 NRL games every year, some twice for research reaso

As the British Flat racing season winds down, it doesn't get any easier to find a winner. The Cesarewitch is renowned as one of the toughest races of the year - hats off to Sam Preen, @SamPreen for this epic preview of the 34 runner field. ---------------------------------- BETFRED CESAREWITCH 3:50 NEWMARKET Class 2 Heritage Handicap 2m 2f, £250,000 . Saddler’s Rock A race which jump trainers like to enter, it’s no surprise to see Saddler’s Rock being entered on his first start for Jonjo O’Neill. Not been at his best since a comfortable winner of the 2012 Goodwood Cup, he was disappointing when bidding for back to back wins last year, and though he had an eyecatching performance in the Irish Leger, that proved to be a fluke, having disappointing on all starts this year, including when finishing eleventh (promoted to tenth) in the Ascot Gold Cup, “won” by Estimate. Difficult to fancy now his best days are safely behind him. Brass Ring Became a useful stayer in time, havi

The open class highlight of tomorrow's great raceday at Caulfield is the weight-for-age Caulfield Stakes. Another talented blog debutant with the preview, please welcome Lachie Brown, @LBrownTweet ------------------------------ 2014 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes Group 1, 2000m What an edition of the Caulfield Stakes! With four of the top five in Cox Plate betting running around it’s a high class race. There will be no excuses, the track expected to be a perfect Good 3. Speed While it won’t be an overly strong gallop, there are potentially three horses who will want to lead. It looks as if Crackerjack King and Side Glance will be up there, but don’t be surprised if Dissident is as well. Fawkner and Sertorious won’t be far away. Sacred Falls and Happy Trails will be next in running and the likes of Kirramosa, Dear Demi, Criterion and Foreteller will be settling near the rear. Runners 1.Sacred Falls- Coming off a good win in the Group 1 George Main Stakes. Trained by

The winter codes of football are over for another year in Australia, now it is time for the other sport claiming title to that description to take the spotlight for the next few months - at least in on-field action. Making his debut on the blog is Daniel Daly, a keen A-League analyst and punter. Read his season preview below and give him a follow at @danielddaly ----------------------- A-League 2014/15 The tenth A-League season kicks off this Friday night Australian time. Competitions dominated by only a handful of clubs has become the norm across Europe, however this years edition of the A-League is definitely for the punter or fan jaded by such occurrences as it promises to be as open as any previous edition of the competition. For those new to Australian football, the competition is comprised of nine Australian teams and one from New Zealand, the Wellington Phoenix. The season is 27 matches long, culminating play-offs featuring the top six teams. Defending champions Brisbane

One of the great racedays on the Australian racing calendar, packed with four Group 1s and every race on the card being black type. If this doesn't get you excited, better check you've still got a pulse! Once again, the professionals have been called in, the fellas from Premium Punting, @premiumpunting . Find out more about their work on their site . ------------------------------- G1 Caulfield Guineas Race 9 - 5:40PM 1600 METRES Our clients are already going into the race with three valuable tickets as advised to the public afterwards in our September 17 article . These runners are now the second, third & fourth favourites in the race, with all of them <50% of the price they were wagered upon then. Speed Map As our profile shows there are four on-pace runners that need to find their positions. Of these, Lucky Tom has the potential to dig up and take the outright lead. The map also shows some particular problems for some runners. Our Vespa’s connections

I tend to reserve my previews for the big international races these days, where I feel there is reward for effort chasing all the video links and trying to line up the form. So now you can reap the benefits..... -------------------- Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe G1, Weight for Age, 2400m 1630 Paris time, 1530 London, 0130 Melbourne Flintshire Not won for over a year, and started favourite in three of those five starts = MONEY MUNCHER. Ran second in the Prix Foy three weeks ago. Beaten 12L behind Treve last year, when drew perfectly and had the weight advantage. Just a handy wfa performer, doubt he'll be troubling these even from gate four. Ruler Of The World Won the Prix Foy recently by leading all the way, ending a 15 month losing drought since the 2013 Derby. Won nicely but it was a small field and there are doubts on the ability of those he beat. Ran seventh here last year (beating Flintshire by 3/4L) when drawn the same gate. Leading/taking up a very forward positio