All the business we have done this week has been on the two NAB Cup Semi-final favourites St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs through the multis. In Super 14, the Reds went down as favourites last week and they look like theyre up against it travelling to take on the Chiefs this week. While, in cricket, punters have suddenly sprung to life with the sniff of a contest enticing them to bet up on the Aussies in New Zealand this week.

AFL

All the business we have done this week has been on the two NAB Cup Semi-final favourites St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs through the multis.

The Dogs have been well backed to win the final and are therefore expected to get past Port Adelaide ($3.20) this weekend. Punters have lined up to lock in the $1.34 about the Dogs this weekend.

St Kilda are even shorter, quoted at $1.20 against Fremantle. We think the Dockers may represent a little bit of value at the $4.50, as they were impressive last week, even with Matthew Pavlich being a late withdrawal.

With the Brendan Fevola furore this week, we have suspended betting on the Coleman Medal, with some uncertainty about how the AFL may react to the nude photo scandal.

Rugby League

Were now just a week away from the start of the season and punters are starting to warm up.

The best go this week was for Jonathan Thurston to win the Dally M at $11. Wests Tigers Robbie Farah was also well tried around the $21 mark.

Rugby Union

The Reds went down as favourites last week and they look like theyre up against it travelling to take on the Chiefs this week.

With their injury list, they may soon by plucking players out of the crowd, but that hasnt stopped a shrewd South African punter wagering $4000 on them with the 16.5 start this week.

An interesting betting scenario is unfolding for the Waratahs-Sharks clash.

Aussie punters are keen to bet against the Tahs, with bets including $4000 on the Sharks at +9.5. But oddly, South African clients want to be with the Australian side, including a bet of $6500 at -9.

The Bulls and Crusaders now share the top line of betting for the Super 14 title at $3.85, but bets were headed this week by one punter backing the Blues to win $10,000 at the $21 quote. There was also a $6000 bet on the Bulls to make the Top 4 at $1.20.

Cricket

Punters have suddenly sprung to life with the sniff of a contest enticing them to bet up on the Aussies in New Zealand this week.

Australias undefeated tag has come tumbling down this week and there has been a lot more interest as a result.

That said, Australia are still marked at $1.40 to win game two of the Series this Saturday. The Kiwis are $2.90.

Basketball

Punters have just been going with the home side and their willingness to give up the start has also been profitable, with most of the favourites tending to cover.

Its expected to be the same as the NBL finals series gets underway, with Perth marked at $1.25 to win the Series. They are at an identical quote to win Game 1 against Wollongong and we are expecting plenty of money for them at the -9.5 line quote.

Golf

A lot of interest in a couple of tournaments this week.

The Malaysian Open sees Thongchai Jaidee head up betting at $10 and we took a bet to lose $12,500 on him this week.

Money has also come for Soren Hansen ($17) and Darren Clarke ($26).

The Honda Classic is wide open betting, with Robert Allenby, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood marked equal $17 favourites.

Head to head betting has attracted more interest in this one and we took a $10,000 bet on Steve Marino at $1.90.

We are also now betting on the Champions Tour and the Toshiba Classic this week sees Fred Couples well tried at $4.75.

Bernard Langer has also come in for support, being backed from $8 to $7.

Elections

Its predicted to be a cliffhanger in Tasmania and theres a chance of it being a hung parliament. Punters should note, we will pay out on the party that supplies the Premier.

The Labor Party is $1.80 and the Libs are $1.95.

In South Australia, it did look a foregone conclusion, but fans of Mike Rann can get better odds now, with his party easing from $1.18 to $1.25 in recent days.

Harness Racing

Once a year punters are getting behind the champ Blacks A Fake to win a fourth Inter Dominion title in five years when the final is run on Sunday.

The Queenslander continues to be well-tried at the $3.50 mark since drawing favourably. Monkey King has a tricky draw to overcome, but he remains an easing $2.60 favourite. The big mover since markets opened has been Washakie, who is now into $4.25.

With Blacks A Fake being nearly as old as me, Monkey King drawn potentially badly and Washakie possibly being caught in traffic, bookmakers are hopeful of getting a result here.

The one at odds that has been backed is Bondy, who has firmed from $26 into $18. We cant give any of the others away.

Horse Racing

Super Saturday at Flemington boasts three Group 1 races.

Can Denman be beaten in the Guineas? We have him at $1.62 and he might get to better odds as punters look for reasons he cant win. Set For Fame looks set to get every chance from the good draw and she is $5.25. Linton has drawn out, but will get back anyway and is a $6 chance.

Its the most open Australian Cup anyone can remember and Heart Of Dreams and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking are now equal $6.50 favourites. Zipping is $8.50 and its double figures the rest, but 12 runners are at $16 or shorter, indicating its wide open nature.

The Newmarket is also open, although it hasnt been a bad race for punters in recent times. Despite some indifferent trackwork, All Silent is the $6 favourite, with Starspangledbanner $9 and Eagle Falls $9.50. Punters are sure to back plenty of runners in this race as well.

Conversely, Rangirangdoo is likely to be the one they pin their hopes on in the G1 Chipping Norton in Sydney. He was good to bookmakers last time, but we are expecting punters to back up again as he seeks his first Group 1 victory on Saturday. Hes a $2.60 favourite with us.

Markets are also up for the big day of racing at Morphettville on Monday, headed by the Adelaide Cup.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview February 25th

In AFL, the pick of the games this week is the Hawks against the Bulldogs. Hawthorn are $1.80 favourites, but we are happy to be with the Dogs at the $2. They have a great record at the venue and arent missing too many big guns, so they look the value for mine. A South Africa punter is banking on The Crusaders maintaining the slow start, having $5000 on the Sharks with 14.5 start against them this week.

AFL

St Kilda provided us with a welcome upset result when ousting Collingwood from the NAB Cup last week.

On the back of that, they are now $3.80 favourites, with Hawthorn $4 chances.

The pick of the games this week is the Hawks against the Bulldogs. Hawthorn are $1.80 favourites, but we are happy to be with the Dogs at the $2. They have a great record at the venue and arent missing too many big guns, so they look the value for mine.

Rugby League

The Charity Shield is always a hotly contested match and a hotly contested betting affair as well.

Punters want to be with the Rabbitohs, who are $1.75 into $1.70, versus the $2.15 on offer about the Dragons.

On the other side of the world, Melbourne have named a good side for the World Club Challenge and they go in against Leeds as $1.70 favourites. Leeds havent impressed in recent Super League outings and they are friendless at the $2.15.

Rugby Union

We are calling them the mighty Queensland Reds and were hoping they can repeat the dose for us this week. The Reds provided bookies with a fantastic result when they upset the Crusaders last weekend.

Punters arent convinced though and they have shied away from them at the odds-on quote this week, preferring to back the Blues to beat them. The Blues are $2.40 into $2.30.

The loss last week further enhanced the Crusaders reputation as notorious slow starters.

A South Africa punter is banking on them maintaining the slow start, having $5000 on the Sharks with 14.5 start against them this week.

Despite the loss, the Crusaders are still on the top line of betting, although they have been joined at the $4 quote by the Bulls.

We also took a bet of $5K on the Blues to make the Top 4 at $1.25.

Other bets this week include $4000 on the Chiefs both at $1.40 and -6.5 against the Force.

Cricket

It seems Aussie punters are finally coming around to the thought of Australia being a good Twenty20 team. They have been backed from $5.50 into $4.50 to win this years World Cup, with bets including one on them to win $20,000.

For a team with a few question marks over them at the shortest form of the game, they have been most impressive against the West Indies and Pakistan this summer.

They have also been backed from $1.50 into $1.46 to win the opener against the Kiwis in New Zealand tomorrow.

The Ford Ranger Cup Final is on this weekend and the white ball kings Victoria are $1.65 into $1.60 to win another title. Tasmania are $2.35 and there hasnt been a cracker for them.

NBL

Nothing highlights the bazaar nature of this years NBL title race than betting on the third game between Wollongong and Townsville this week. The Hawks were hammered up in Townsville, but now go up as $1.30 favourites for the return clash on their home court this week.

Motor Racing

Jamie Whincup opened up for his new team winning both races last week and he is marked $2.40 to claim the first race in Bahrain this weekend.

Punters are a little cautious though, with this being a Formula 1 circuit, which is a completely different kettle of fish. It may well test him out and there has been good money for both Craig Lowndes ($6) and Garth Tander ($9) this week.

The Superbikes come to Philip Island this weekend, with Noriyuki Haga the $3.25 race favourite and $3.20 favourite to take the title.

Chris Vermeulen returns to Superbikes and is a $41 chance, but there is the possibility of bad weather and he has a reputation for being a gun on wet tracks, so the quote may prove tempting for some.

Horse Racing

Typhoon Tracy aims to add another Group 1 to her mantle in Saturdays Futurity Stakes, for which shes a $1.65 favourite. Snipers Bullet and Dao Dao share the second line of betting at $5.25 in the six horse field.

Moonee Valley also hosts Group racing tomorrow night, with Aloha ($3.60), Tallow ($3.70) and Speedy Natalie ($4.40) vying for honours in the MV Fillies Classic.

The Golden Slipper picture continues to take place in Sydney, with the running of the Silver Slipper, featuring unbeaten Kembla Grange filly Chance Bye up against classy types like Georgette Silk, Ambers Waltz, Run For Wilson and Intertidal.

Glamour colt Manhattan Rain is certain to be well backed again in the Hobartville Stakes, where rivals include Sandown Guineas winner Kidnapped and Royal Sovereign conqueror Shoot Out.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview February 18th

The opening round of the NAB Cup has inspired punters to bet up on the looming AFL season. This week, bets have included $6000 on St Kilda at $4.30 and $2000 on Hawthorn at $9. In Super 14, it was the biggest opening round of betting we have recorded, but punters have gone back into their shells a little this week and they have not rushed us at the opening prices. In A-League, The Finals kick off tonight and Sydney and Melbourne head into the series as $2.50 equal competition favourites.

AFL

The opening round of the NAB Cup has inspired punters to bet up on the looming AFL season.

This week, bets have included $6000 on St Kilda at $4.30 and $2000 on Hawthorn at $9.

We also fielded a $10,000 wager on Sydney to make the Top 8 at $3 and $5000 on West Coast at $3.60 in the same market.

One punter last week bet $3000 on Port at $12 to win the Wooden Spoon but wouldnt have been amused by their good form last week. Richmond are $3.75 to $2.75 Spoon firmers after the first NAB Cup round.

Another interesting bet this week was $1000 Each Way on Nick Reiwoldt to win the Coleman Medal.

Rugby Union

The first round of the Super 14 competition went slightly the way of the bookies, courtesy of the Sharks failing to win.

Strangely enough, six of the away teams won last week not something you see very often. More importantly though, punters would have been pleased with the way the teams that were backed pre-season performed. The Crusaders, Bulls, Brumbies and Stormers (who were $17 into $11 pre-season) kicked off strongly.

It was the biggest opening round of betting we have recorded, but punters have gone back into their shells a little this week and they have not rushed us at the opening prices.

Bets to date include $2500 on the Reds with 11.5 start against the Crusaders.

The wheels have fallen off the Force, despite this being just the second week. They are into $3 second elects for the Wooden Spoon and are $8 and 17.5 point outsiders against the Hurricanes this week.

Soccer

The A-League Finals kick off tonight and Sydney and Melbourne head into the series as $2.50 equal competition favourites. Despite going down 2-0 to Sydney last week and having a few injury concerns, the Victory have been the best backed team this week.

They are $2.45 to win tonights opening semi-final, with the Draw $3.20 and Sydney FC $2.85.

Gold Coast United ($1.70) are heavily favoured to beat Newcastle ($5) on Saturday night, while Wellington are at $2 to toss Perth ($3.75).

Rugby League

We have gone up this week on our Dally M and leading Try Scorer markets.

Defending champ Jarryd Hayne shares the top line at $11 with fellow previous winner Jonathan Thurston for the Dally M. Benji Marshall is $13 third elect and the playmaker theme continues with Jamie Soward and Scott Prince on the fourth line at $15.

For the top tryscorer (Home and Away season), the Bulldogs Josh Morris is $13 top pick.

Nathan Merritt ($14), Jarryd Hayne ($15), Michael Jennings ($15), Brett Morris ($15) and Brett Stewart ($15) are also strongly in contention. Motor Racing

V8 Supercars

A new season, but defending champ Jamie Whincup is the favourite once again. We have him at $5 for his new team, but were not so sure he will be as dominant in his new colours and we are happy to take him on at that quote.

Will Davison and Craig Lowndes share the second line at $6.

The first round revs off in Abu Dhabi this weekend and Whincup is $3.50 favourite for the first race. Davison is $5.50 second pick, with Lowndes and Garth Tander next best at $6.50.

Betting is Each Way on 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a market on the second race will open immediately following the first.

Formula One

Two-times champion Fernando Alonso is the $3.75 favourite for the new season, with 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton $4.75 and returning legend Michael Schumacher $5.50.Mark Webber is $13 pick, but the best backed driver has been Sebastian Vettel, who is $7.50 into $6. Its worth noting that last years early money on the Brawn team proved spot on, so the early move may be worth following.

Nascar

Our markets are now up for the new Nascar series, with Marcos Ambrose a $81 chance to win the Sprint Cup Championship.

We have a special market on the Australian, asking the question whether he will win a race in the 38 race series. 36 of the races are on the Oval track, with the other two being on road circuits, where Ambrose finished second and third last year.

The Yes quote is $1.70 and the No is $2.10.

Basketball

Perth are $1.95 favourites to win this years NBL title as the finals series gets underway.

Wollongong are $4.25 second elects, narrowly in front of Townsville at $4.50. The Gold Coast are $7 chances.

Politics

Kevin Rudd is certainly on the nose at the moment and recent polls have caused a shuffle to the market for the next Federal Election.

Labor has eased from $1.17 to $1.25 as the Coalition firms from $4.50 to $3.75 for an unlikely victory. Theres enough support there to suggest support for Kevin 07 is starting to waver.

Horse Racing

A group 1 double coming out of Caulfield this Saturday.

Can Beneteau repel the recent poor record of favourites? Just 2 public elects in the past 17 years have won the juvenile feature and the Sydneysider is $3.30 with us. The filly Psychologist is an easing $7.50 second elect after faring poorly at the draw.

Secession and Shaaheq have been the big movers since the barrier draw.

The Oakleigh Plate sees the return of former Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler, who is rated a $13 chance. Lucky Secret is the $5 favourite from perennial bridesmaid Wanted ($6).

In Sydney, Rangirangdoo is going to start a warm favourite to win the G2 Apollo Stakes.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview February 11th

Theres been solid interest in a few teams ahead of the Super 14 season openers this weekend, but the Crusaders go in as $3.60 favourites, with the Brumbies ($5.50) expected to be the big improvers. Whilst in AFL, money this week suggests St Kilda will field an under strength side against Collingwood next week. The Saints are $5.50 out to $7.50 in NAB Cup betting, with the Pies firming from $13 into $8.50.

Rugby Union

Theres been solid interest in a few teams ahead of the Super 14 season openers this weekend, but the Crusaders go in as $3.60 favourites, with the Brumbies ($5.50) expected to be the big improvers.

Punters should be aware that markets will be updated at half time in each game, with Head to Head and Line betting on offer.

A game that is unlikely to have a bearing on title betting, but one which holds great interest in Australia is the Waratahs taking on the Reds in Brisbane.

This might be the Reds chance to land an early upset and we are keen to take on the Waratahs, but there has been no takers at the $1.53 quote.

The other Aussie match up has the Brumbies giving away 8 points at the line against the Western Force.

In the opening match, there has been solid support for the Blues, who are $2.35 into $2.20 to beat the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders are notoriously slow starters and will be without Richie McCaw for the first few weeks, but that hasnt stopped punters anchoring them in a number of big multis at the $1.17 quote against the Highlanders.

Money suggests the Lions will justify Wooden Spoon favouritism when they take on the Stormers. The Lions are $2.80 out to $3.50. The Stormers, who will show off new recruit Brian Habana this year, are rock solid $1.30 favs.

AFL

Markets for each of the NAB Cup games will be up 24 hours before the first bounce following the naming of teams.

Just as we are in the Super 14, markets will be updated at the end of each break with Line and Head to Head betting.

Money this week suggests St Kilda will field an under strength side against Collingwood next week. The Saints are $5.50 out to $7.50 in NAB Cup betting, with the Pies firming from $13 into $8.50.

Geelong are $6 favourites, with the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide and Hawthorn sharing the second line at $7.

Rugby League

The All Stars game this week has attracted a lot of interest and a big crowd is sure to attend. But were not expecting the professional punters to get too involved on this one. Often these games can be a free for all and Im tipping a big score in this one.

There has been a sprinkling of money for both sides, with the NRL All Stars slight favs at $1.68, so given the nature of these contests, punters are likely to find the $2.15 about the Indigenous All Stars appealing.

Cricket

Crowds have dropped off and so too has the betting, which is at an all time low on the One Day Internationals being played in Australia at the moment.

Theres too many of them and the ones we have seen have been one-sided with the result often determined very early in the game. In the case of the most recent one, after the very first ball when Chris Gayle was dismissed!

Theres been more interest on the Domestic Twenty20 competition.

Australia is $1.25 to win the third game in Sydney tomorrow.

Conversely, there was great interest in the India-South Africa test and we got a good result when the Proteas scored an upset win.

The second test market has the Draw as the $2.40 fav, with India $2.70 and South Africa $3.60 outsiders.

Horse Racing

The Moonee Valley meeting was dealt a huge blow this morning when Black Caviar was withdrawn from the William Reid and the remainder of the autumn.

It has caused a major reshuffle of the market for the big Group 1 this weekend, with Nicconi now the $3.25 favourite and Wanted $3.60. Shellscrape is a $4.75 hope.

The Valley meeting also has the Alister Clark and Sunline Stakes being run at Group 2 level.

In Sydney, the big guns return, with Gai Waterhouse saddling up Manhattan Rain in the Royal Sovereign Stakes and More Joyous in the Light Fingers. The Breeders Classic and Southern Cross round out a terrific program at Randwick.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview February 4th

As is normally the case with the Superbowl, the money has been for the underdogs this week and New Orleans have firmed from $3 to $2.65 to beat the Indianapolis Colts ($1.49). The line has trimmed up from 5.5 to 4.5 and 80% of the bets are running in favour of New Orleans. While in cricket; punters have written off this Fridays Twenty20 game in Melbourne as a lost cause for Pakistan and to date, we have taken just a single $10 bet on the visitors to cause an upset.

Superbowl

As is normally the case with the Superbowl, the money has been for the underdogs this week and New Orleans have firmed from $3 to $2.65 to beat the Indianapolis Colts ($1.49).

The line has trimmed up from 5.5 to 4.5 and 80% of the bets are running in favour of New Orleans.

While all the facts and figures point to a Colts win, punters arent bothered by it and we will be cheering for the favs come Monday morning.

Cricket

Punters have written off this Fridays Twenty20 game in Melbourne as a lost cause for Pakistan and to date, we have taken just a single $10 bet on the visitors to cause an upset.

While punters have written them off, I certainly havent, as results tell us the coin toss is just as important as anything else in T20 and with Australia at $1.41, I am more than happy to be taking them on. In fact, I cant believe they are as short as they are.

Punters also think Australia will make short work of the West Indies in the upcoming One Day Series, with the Aussies firming from $1.25 into $1.18 for the Series. You can get $4.65 about a Windies win.

Australia are therefore expected to take the opening game, where they are $1.31 and heavily backed being coupled in some big multis into other prominent sports.

AFL

We have posted the NAB Cup market and as usual, it looks a deadset raffle. We have gone up $6 each of two about Geelong and St Kilda as the early favourites.

Sydney have been best backed this week, firming from $51 into $16. It looks like for a change they might be competitive in this competition and they get a home game in the opening round against what is likely to be a depleted Carlton outfit.

At this stage, nobody really knows who will be lining up for the respective teams, but I dont expect this years competition to be the minefield it once was for bookmakers, with teams set to be announced earlier this year.

Rugby Union

The Six Nations begins this weekend and punters are keen to get involved.

Theres been a good push for England, who are $1.72 into $1.61 to beat Wales ($2.30).

France have also been well backed this week, firming from $1.40 to $1.34 against Scotland.

The other game looks a non contest and Italy may well get lapped here. They are $14, with Ireland marked at $1.02.

The Super 14 begins next week and a different team came under notice this week. We have reported how all the money has been for the Crusaders, but an astute South African punter backed the Stormers to win $25,000 in a single bet at odds of $15 this week.

The punter in question didnt want to know about the Bulls or the Sharks, so I am confidently predicting the Stormers are going to be hard to beat in 2010.

Amazingly, we havent written a single bet on the Waratahs. Every other team has been backed in some form except New South Wales. It seems their history of promising much but delivering precious little has turned punters right off them.

Motor Racing

We have posted our market for the Moto GP season, with Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner both marked at $2.50.

Everyone is obviously keen to see how Stoner comes back from those fatigue issues he outlined last year, but there were some positive signs, so it all points to a great contest again this year.

Surfing

Mick Fanning has gone up as $3.75 favourite to take another World Surfing Title this year, with prolific winner Kelly Slater a $4 second elect.

Joel Parkinson just missed out last year and he is $4.50, but the early move has been for Taj Burrow, who has firmed from $15 into $10.

Horse Racing

The Group 1 action continues this week, with Typhoon Tracy a long odds-on favourite to win the C.F. Orr Stakes and break her maiden status against the boys. We have her at $1.70, with her Underwood Stakes conqueror Heart Of Dreams $5 second pick.

The Blue Diamond market is likely to undergo a facelift after Saturday, with the two Preludes at Caulfield.

In particular, the Colts & Geldings division will have great significance, with the clash of Beneteau and Secession, who currently share Diamond favouritism with the filly Crystal Lily at $8.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview January 28th

Serena has been heavily backed to win the tournament and couple with the key chances in the Mens draw for the double. She was also backed from $1.30 into $1.20 to win yesterdays match. Andy Murray is $1.18 to advance to the Final tonight, giving away 6 games at the line against Marin Cilic. Roger Federer is $1.16 to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday. And a Murray-Federer final will spark some real betting fireworks.

Tennis

Serena Williams getting out of jail against Victoria Azarenka yesterday wasnt an ideal result, but the fluctuating fortunes of the match meant it wasnt a disaster either.

Serena has been heavily backed to win the tournament and couple with the key chances in the Mens draw for the double. She was also backed from $1.30 into $1.20 to win yesterdays match.

But Live betting helped square our ledger to some extent, with Azarenka getting into as short as $1.20 at one stage and we took a $5000 bet at that quote.

Andy Murray is $1.18 to advance to the Final tonight, giving away 6 games at the line against Marin Cilic. Roger Federer is $1.16 to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday.

A Murray-Federer final will spark some real betting fireworks.

European and particularly the Brit punters are Murray-mad, whereas the rest of the world is in love with Federer, so we would expect money on both sides of the court should that likely scenario eventuate.

Federer is now a $1.90 chance to win his fourth Australian Open, with Murray $2.35 and double figures the two outsiders.

Also keep in mind that you can now multi Head-to-Head & Total Games O/U markets within the same match.

Cricket

We see this fourth match in Perth as our chance to get something back from the punters, who have cashed up on the Aussies in the first three ODI games.

Australia is resting Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger and over on that Perth deck, we think it might suit the Pakistan bowlers.

They really havent been that far away in two of the games thus far, but just failed to convert into a win. At the $1.45, we are happy to take Australia on again!

Golf

Phil Mickelson makes his return to the circuit this weekend and is marked at $7.25 to take the Farmers Insurance Open. The lefty is one of the few players you can rely on to perform fresh and punters have cottoned onto that this week, backing him in from $9.

The European events have been attracting more interest than the US in recent weeks though, perhaps because of the more friendly timeslot.

Last start winner Martin Kaymer heads betting at $12 with Henrik Stenson for the Qatar Masters this week, with Kaymer best backed.

The New Zealand Open provides punters with a trio of events to get their teeth into this weekend.

Soccer

Punters have got the A-League down to three teams, with Melbourne $2.30, Sydney $3.10 and debutants the Gold Coast $3.75. All others are $16 or better.

A big match therefore looms tomorrow evening, with Gold Coast $2.35 hosting the competition favourites, who are $2.95. The Draw is a $3.35 chance.

AFL

Theres not much doing in Flag betting at the moment, but punters are happy to keep chipping away at Gary Ablett to win the Brownlow. We took another $1000 Each Way at $7 this week and hes now into a quote of $6.50.

Simon Black has also had some interest at the $21 Each Way quote.

NRL

Reports in the Sydney press this week of the Roosters being upbeat about a more positive season in 2010 prompted some good money to come for them to make the eight.

Punters took the $2.75 on the day of the report and consistent money has seen them trip up to $2.60 to turn around their woeful 2009 year and make a Finals appearance this time around.

Parramatta continue to be the team most want to be on, with another $2000 at the $5.50 to win the Premiership coming this week.

Horse Racing

Australias first Group 1 race of the year, the Lightning Stakes, has attracted a field of 13 acceptors, with an international flavour, with the inclusion of US galloper Cannonball.

Three-year-olds are out to break a four year drought and they have a powerful contingent here, with eight runners. Guineas winners Starspangledbanner and Irish Lights will be among the favourites, along with Coolmore Stakes winner Headway.

Of the older horses, G1 winners Duporth and Nicconi will have their admirers, along with Queensland speedster Burdekin Blues, a Flemington straight track winner during the spring carnival.

The Flemington program also includes the G3 CS Hayes and G3 Vanity for the three-year-olds.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview January 21st

Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters share $4 favouritism for the Australian Open now, but punters are very clear about which way they want to go. Everyone wants to be with Clijsters and the ratio of bets are running highly in her favour. In cricket, The ODI Series starts this weekend and punters are going to find it hard to get behind Pakistan after their capitulation in the Test Series. Australia are $1.32 to win the Series and $1.44 to win Game 1. All this, plus Rugby, AFL, NBL, NFL and horse racing in this week's preview.

Tennis

Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters share $4 favouritism for the Australian Open now, but punters are very clear about which way they want to go.

Everyone wants to be with Clijsters and the ratio of bets are running highly in her favour.

The other good move has been for Justine Henin, who looks to have a nice clear path to the finals now after getting past Dementieva last night. Shes into $4.50.

Punters werent put off by Roger Federers slow start in the opening round and they expect him to warm to his task over the next week. He remains the $3.50 fav. But Rafael Nadal is starting to garner plenty of support.

Punters have liked what they have seen so far and hes into $5 from a tournament opening quote of $6.

Davydenko also continues to firm. He flies under the media radar, but punters havent missed him and hes a $9 chance. As we reported last week, as much as $34 was available at one stage.

Cricket

The ODI Series starts this weekend and punters are going to find it hard to get behind Pakistan after their capitulation in the Test Series. Australia are $1.32 to win the Series and $1.44 to win Game 1.

The Twenty20 Big Bash on the other hand has been a wonderful contest and captured the imagination of fans and punters alike.

South Australia have been assured of a home final for some time and were long odds-on last week, but remarkably, they have now been displaced as favourites for the final by Victoria. The Vics are $1.85 after ousting Queensland through the week.

It seems the move against SA ($1.95) is based on the absence of Afridi, who is required for Pakistan, but the Vics also lose some talent, including captain Cameron White.

We are happy to take them on at the current quote.

Rugby Union

The Melbourne Rebels have generated plenty of publicity about their 2011 entrance into the competition and it seems that has spurred punters into action about the looming Super 14 season, which is now only three weeks away.

The Crusaders continue to be heavily supported to win and after the support we reported a couple of weeks back at the $5, we took another $8000 on them at $4.50 to take the title this week. There was also two bets of $4000 at $1.50 on them to make the Top 4.

The Bulls are second elects at $5.75, but the Brumbies have been easily the best backed side outside away from the Crusaders, now into $6 from $8.

Conversely, punters seem to have grown tired of the Waratahs, who are $8 to $11 drifters.

The Brumbies are $1.52 to be top Australian side, from NSW ($2.90), WA ($12) and Queensland ($26).

AFL

In a bit of a surprise, there has been excellent support for Brendon Fevola to win this years Coleman Medal. The Fev is $4.50 into $4, with punters obviously latching onto comments from Michael Voss suggesting he has settled in extremely well up north.

In another bad sign for Richmond fans, the Tigers have been backed from $5 to $3.75 to claim the Wooden Spoon. There has also been specking for Port Adelaide, with $1000 on them at $13.

NBL

The Melbourne Tigers have finally come good on their promise to pick up steam in the latter part of the season and they made it five straight when belting title favourites Perth overnight. They are not assured of making the top 4, but they are now into $7.

The return clash in Perth this weekend should be a cracker. The Wildcats are likely to be 4 point favourites, so we expect plenty of punters to come for the Tigers at those prices.

NFL

The countdown to the Super Bowl is on, with the NFL down to four.

Indianapolis are $2.25 favourites to take the big one and they are giving away 7.5 points at the line against the New York Jets this weekend. The Jets have been the fairytale story of the seasons. Now rated $8 Super Bowl chances, they were at one stage through the season $331 pops.

In the other conference final, Minnesota are getting 3.5 at the line against New Orleans.

Minnesota are $5 SB chances, while New Orleans $3 second elects. They opened the season at $26 before winning their first 15 games.

Horse Racing

There is a strong Aussie representation in the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap run at New Zealand's Trentham racetrack on Saturday afternoon.

Gold Trail ($7) and Keano ($14) lead the charge for the Australians with other regulars that race on our side of the ditch Mufhasa ($7.50), Atapi ($12), Kiloton ($19), Tavistock ($10) and Tootsie ($41) having to beat local favourite Wealth Princess ($4.50)

The Group racing action starts to heat up in Melbourne tomorrow night, with star filly Black Caviar a long odds-on favourite to make a winning return to racing in the G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Sydney hosts the $250,000 Inglis Classic and stunning debut winner Chance Bye can further her reputation here. Trainer Michael Tubman wont hear of her being beaten this weekend, predicting the filly may well set a new 2yo mark for the Randwick 1200m.

Attention then turns to Caulfield on Tuesday, where the highlight will be the return of star Darley colt Denman. The program will also help sort out the Blue Diamond market, with the running of two Previews.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview January 15th

Cricket

The Draw was the best tried result in recent days for the Third Test in Tassie this week. It has firmed up to $3.50 to $3.30, with rain predicted on Days 4 and 5 (if it happens to go that long...).

In a dead rubber situation, punters have tended to go for the outsiders, but it seems people have completely written off Pakistan owing to their off-field woes and capitulation in the Second Test.

The visitors went into the game as $6 chances, with Australia $1.72 to make a clean sweep.

THE TWENTY20 Big Bash has proven a smash with punters and it just goes from strength to strength.

$10,000 bets have been the norm, but at this stage, punters would be slightly behind. A few smarties have woken up to the fact these matches are a legitimate flip of the coin contest, but one statistic that stands out is that 80% of the winners have been the teams that batted first. We are now starting to see many punters just wait for the toss and make their investment after that.

South Australia are guaranteed to finish on top and therefore host the final. They are marked at $1.75 to take this years crown.

It looks a great contest for second though, with Queensland rated $6 chances after last nights victory in a match shortened to just nine overs per side. Victoria are $4.50 second elects and WA are rated $5, seemingly coming good at the right time.

Tennis

Punters are really shying away from Roger Federer, who has eased from $3.25 to $3.75. Punters like to see a players form before investing and because Federer is going into this years Open without an Australian lead-up, hes been friendless over the past week.

The one they have come for is Nikolay Davydenko. As much as $34 was available six weeks ago, but a consistent stream of money has seen the controversial, but in-form player firm to $12.

Rafael Nadal is the $5 second pick, with Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro sharing the third line at $7.

Lleyton Hewitt also has plenty of admirers, with a lot of smaller bets coming for him at $81.

While punters have been prepared to back outsiders in the Mens draw, the only players they want are the Top 3 in the Womens.

Serena Williams is now the outright favourite after being impressive in what weve seen this past week. Shes into $3.75, with Kim Clijsters a $4.25 second elect.

Justine Henin performed very well at her comeback tournament last week and is resting up ahead of her return to the Grand Slam circuit. Shes $5.50.

Next in betting is Maria Sharapova at $9, but she has few admirers (from a punting perspective!).

Golf

Steve Stricker heads betting for the Sony Open at $12, with Zach Johnson and Sean OHair on the second line at $17.

Rory Sabbatini is a $21 chance, but the best backed player has been Robert Allenby, a $31 to $23 firmer this week.

In the Joburg Open, Charl Schwartzel is the favourite at $10. Anders Hansen and Richard Sterne are $15 second picks.

NRL

The Brisbane Broncos continue to drift and personally, I think theyre gone even before the 2010 season even begins. They are out to $21 now with Justin Hodges out for six months and nobody wants to touch them even at that price.

Parramatta remain $5.50 favourites, but the one that keeps attracting support is the Gold Coast. $21 was available in parts when markets first went up, but as other teams have injury and personnel problems, punters have kept chipping away at them and we are now into $11.

Sports Alive Weekly Preview December 23rd

On behalf of everyone at Sports Alive, we would like to wish you & yours a safe & enjoyable Festive Season. Sports Alive internet betting will operate as usual over Christmas Day, however, telephone betting and customer service will be closed from 9:30pm Christmas Eve, and will re-open at 6am on Boxing Day. Please note for any race meetings scheduled to go later than 9:30pm on Christmas Eve - all bets must be placed before our closing time. One of the great events on the Aussie sporting calendar is without doubt the Boxing Day Test. It doesnt matter who is playing, it is always a contest on the field as well as in the betting ring, and this year is no different! Find out more in this week's Festive Preview.

Cricket

One of the great events on the Aussie sporting calendar is without doubt the Boxing Day Test. It doesnt matter who is playing, it is always a contest on the field as well as in the betting ring, and this year is no different!

The Australian side put away the Windies, but did get a few frights along the way. Injury concerns continue to dog Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle, and question marks still hover over the form of Michael Hussey.

Then we have Pakistan. What an enigma! On their day they are capable of beating any team in the world, but at the same time they can collapse like a deck of cards. They come off a relatively successful tour of New Zealand, and their swing bowlers will have a definite advantage at the MCG.

Punters agree as there has been solid support for them to not only win the First Test (6.00 into 5.00), but also to win the best of three test series, which has firmed from 6.00 into 4.85 as well. I agree with that push, and think that on face value, the 1.78 for Australia is well under the odds given their form and player concerns.

There will be a host of pre-match bet types for the test, along with a comprehensive in running array of fixed odds and spreads available. Boxing Day is the busiest cricket betting day of the year, lets hope we get a decent contest!

Yachting

Theres a little doubt over Sydney-Hobart favourite Wild Oats this morning, with repairs keel repairs being done, but the defending champ is still the most favoured way to win this years race, quoted at $2.15.

Alfa Romeo is the solid second pick at $2.25 and the firmer continues to be ICAP Leopard on the suspicion of bad weather. Its $4.75 to $4.25. Etihad Stadium has finally got all of its bits and pieces together and is quoted at $12.

To be truthful, betting has been quiet on this years race, because it looks more open than usual. In previous years, punters have simply treated it as a post Christmas present from bookies, because the favourite tends to win every year.

So the challenge is there for punters this time around with the prospect of better value if they happen to get it right.

AFL

We have opened betting on the Brownlow this week, with a price for every player on the list for each team.

Gary Ablett opens justifiably as the $6 favourite.

Hawthorn supporters havent wasted any time putting the disappointment of 2009 behind them. The Hawks have been strongly backed to win next years Flag and have been $13 into $9 since betting opened. We also took a $5000 bet on them to finish Top 4 at $2.30.

Injuries and a bad start cruelled their 2009 campaign but punters expect them to rediscover the Flag winning 2008 form.

Tennis

Betting has opened on the Hopman Cup, with Australia $3.25 favourites. Russia are second picks at $3.50, but a word of warning for punters: this can be a tricky tournament.

Many players see it as a legitimate warm up event and quite often we get upset results in this event.

Horse Racing

Group racing continues at Randwick with the Summer Cup on Saturday. Up in Brisbane, a number of Magic Millions contenders line up in the Listed BJ Mclachlan Stakes, with the Listed Bernborough also being a highlight at Doomben.

Christmas Trading Hours

Sports Alive internet betting will operate as usual over Christmas Day.

Telephone betting and customer service will be closed from 9:30pm Christmas Eve, and will re-open at 6am on Boxing Day. Please note for any race meetings scheduled to go later than 9:30pm on Christmas Eve - all bets must be placed before our closing time.

On behalf of everyone at Sports Alive, we would like to wish you & yours a safe & enjoyable Festive Season.