6/7/2001 edition

Horse Racing Betting Tips

Philidor no champion

This Bart Cummings trained gelding is certainly not living up to his namesake, who was a World Chess Champion. Though some of us could well say he gallops as slow as a game of chess.

In a restricted 1800 metres plodders' race at Eagle Farm last Saturday, Philidor, who has managed to place three times from 18 starts was sent out the tote favourite. It was no surprise when he didn't win or place - he is a classic money muncher.

More racing media follies

In a 1200 metres 2YO Fillies race at Moonee Valley the ever confident "form expert" on Sky, Alf Matthews, when spruiking the short priced Freedman trained favourite, Danviva said she "copes with these conditions very well."

The track was rated Slow. In Danviva's five race starts she had never raced on anything worse than a Dead rated track.

Danviva was well ridden, got a comfortable run outside the leader, hit the lead at the 600 and was gone by the home turn. In the nine horse field she finished a well beaten seventh.

Wonder if the conditions had anything to do with it?

We were prepared to back Danviva but not at $3.20 (9/4). We wanted $4.70 (15/4). We were never in the ballpark and our money was saved. But at $4.70 we would granted, have had a losing bet.

However the important point is that at $4.70 you only need a 21% winning strike rate to break even. At $3.20 a 31% winning strike rate is needed to break even. Now that makes a substantial difference.

Class win

The Gai Waterhouse trained four year old gelding, Borelli certainly looks very promising. Out of champion sire Zabeel, he came here from New Zealand and won first up over 1400 metres at Randwick on June 13 handicapped with 57kg.

Last Saturday he went up in class, up in distance to 1900 metres second up, up in weight to 58.5kg. and started from a poor barrier, 12. Despite that he was still good enough to get a nice run in the race without having to over work, to hold off a challenge in the straight, record his fifth win from 14 starts and his second from as many starts in Australia.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse does seem to get a lot of apparently poorly handicapped horses up. Still, I didn't like the odds - $2.60.

Big win

Captain Test was certainly impressive at Eagle Farm. He was up in weight from 54.5kg. to 56.5kg. He also had barrier 14 in the 16 horse field.

Leading Brisbane hoop Michael Cahill settled the four year old gelding well back in the field. In the home straight he went out wide to make his run and made up eight lengths for a very big win.

That was only a 1500 metres Class 6. On that run Captain Test, who now has six wins from 10 starts will easily measure up to Open Class.

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Ex John Size trained horses
Future winners at big odds
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