EVERYONE HAS A SYSTEM FOR TIPPING THE MELBOURNE CUP WINNER
WHAT is it about the Melbourne Cup on that first Tuesday in November that makes it different to every other horse race throughout the year? Probably the fact that everyone from the tea lady to the taxi driver wants to tip you the winner!
Once a year even those who know nothing about gambling will roll out their proven method of winning on the Cup. Some will even boast that their successful formula has been handed down from generation to generation.
I thought it might be an opportune time to look at light-hearted and serious approaches that can help you find that elusive Cup winner on Tuesday whether you are a regular or once a year punter who wants to invest big or just have a small flutter.
Read more: MORE HORSING AROUND with GODFREY SMITH at CUP TIME
A RACING REVOLUTION – BUT NOT THE TYPE THAT SKY IS BANKING ON
TENS of thousands of battling punters around the country like you and I, who pump millions of dollars into TAB profits every year, should feel cheated by the news that they will soon have to pay to watch live racing on SKY Channel.
The dream of a racing vision revolution has the potential to develop into an absolute nightmare for the industry, especially when you have Tabcorp boss, Robert Nason, telling punters their ‘free ride’ is over.
ON THE PUNT BLOW-UP WHEN YOU LOSE – IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
THE legend of PITTSBURG PHIL – arguably the greatest punter that ever lived – lauds him for keeping his cool under pressure but claims the strain to stay so calm eventually killed him.
That being the case I’m confident, after surviving another Melbourne Cup carnival, that most of my good punting mates won’t die young. And that's despite my fears that their tendency to blow-up badly after a form reversal win or a poor ride could cause a heart attack.
In case some of those non-believers, who normally dig into their pockets and have a flutter traditionally on only the first Tuesday in November have now caught the bug, I thought it might be opportune to offer some advice on how to win, lose and behave on the punt.
A 'GAY RACE DAY' AT RANDWICK DURING THE SYDNEY MARDI GRAS?
CAN you imagine the reaction from some of the older conservative brigade at the Australian Jockey Club – or throughout the country for that matter – when news filters through of a proposal for a ‘Gay Race Day’ at Randwick?
My mail is strong that behind-the-scenes planning is well advanced and that the meeting could proceed as part of the new format for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras early next year.
NO 'SUCKING UP' TO 'SURVIVE' FOR DR TURF ON TVN'S VALLEY NIGHTS
THE ratings at TVN are set to sky-rocket this week – not so much because of the blockbuster new season launch of night racing at Moonee Valley – but more so the return of punters’ pin-up boy, Dr Turf.
You need a big heart and long pockets to survive a season of Valley Nights on the couch betting on an unpredictable track that throws up more surprises than most but Dr Turf has the uncanny ability of making punters laugh when they lose.