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Aussie
Rules
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Centrebet Capers
CRICKET The WACA wicket has long been regarded as a minefield, but it hasn't been as fiery in the domestic matches played there this season. Normally the first Test played in Perth is a tough initiation for any country, but if the wicket isn't as bad as it has been in the past, the draw looks very respectable odds in the test at 4.00. There has been plenty of money for the Aussies to go one up in the series. After opening at 1.50, three bets of $10,000 have already been taken forcing the price into 1.44 and we continue to see a steady flow of money even at that price. South Africa didn't really impress in the lead up matches but that is common place in this country, and there are a few who have discounted that form. The Proteas have been backed to take out close to $50,000 at 8.00 as punters bet against the draw. Betting on the Test will be updated at each break and there will be 'next man out' markets available throughout the match. As far as the series go, Australia is now into 1.33 to win the three match series. The first decent bet we took was $25,000 at 1.35, then $12,000 at 1.33 and as a result, the 'drawn series' has eased out to 4.25, with South Africa at 8.50. Centrebet is also covering the televised one-day matches between Pakistan and England as well as the Test matches between India and Sri Lanka. The one-day matches will have fresh betting at the dinner break while the Tests will be updated at the end of each day’s play. RUGBY UNION Wallaby coach Eddie Jones is gone and although nobody knows who will be his replacement, we have cut the price of the Wallabies to win the 2007 World Cup. They had drifted out to 8.50 after losing a fortnight ago to Wales, but with the thought of some new blood off the field, and maybe on as well, we have cut the price to 7.50. New Zealand remains very warm fav's at 2.10 ahead of South Africa at 4.60. The Super 14 prices have been open for two weeks and the first legitimate firmer has been the Hurricanes, now into 11.00 after opening at 15.00. The Hurricanes have been backed to take out nearly $60,000 but nearly all of the support came from Aussie punters, not New Zealanders, so we are happy to risk them for a little more. The Crusaders are the opening favourites at 3.50 and are yet to attract a big bet, but there has been good, constant support for both the Blues (4.50) and the Waratahs at 4.75. The Brumbies are unwanted at 10.00, and have only had one bet of $10 placed on them, making them the worst backed side to date. We have even seen more money for the bolters of the field, the Cats, at 101 but the South African sides really struggle in this competition. The Western Force makes its long awaited debut next year and we have taken nearly $500 worth of bets for the Force to do the impossible at 41.00. YACHTING The time honoured Sydney to Hobart yacht race will get under way on Boxing Day and although the final field is yet to be announced, we have opened up a few options for punters to bet on. The super-maxi's have had a habit of dominating this race and we have opened up a head to head on which one of Wild Oats or Alfa Romeo will be first across the finish line. Wild Oats is the favourite at 1.77, and there has been nearly $2000 placed on her. Wild Oats had her maiden run under full sail last week but the Alfa Romeo has been in the water since July. These two will dominate the overall betting for the race itself, but there will be several additional head to head markets open next Thursday, four days before the race begins. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR Betting has closed on the Australian of the Year but it did create plenty of interest in the week that it was open. We are not entirely sure of the process once the nominations are put in so to be fair to all, we found it in the best interests of all to close it down. Reverend Tim Costello (Victoria) was our opening favourite at 3.25 and he had been backed into 2.50. Justice Michael Kirby, representing New South Wales, had his share of support at 4.00 but so did the next two in the betting, Professor Ian Frazer and Dr. Bill Griggs. Professor Fraser (8.00 into 5.50) from Queensland was nominated for his medical research work, focusing on cervical cancer. Like the rest of the nominees he would be a worthy winner, as would Dr. Griggs, who had been backed from 17.00 into 8.00. Dr. Griggs is the head of the trauma section of the Royal Adelaide Hospital and apart from working in Aceh and East Timor when they were in crisis; he also developed medical equipment that was used by Italian surgeons to treat the Pope back in March. The money suggests he looks hard to beat but we still give the nod to Reverend Tim Costello for the fantastic job he did following the Asian Tsunami. MISS WORLD While it was reported that the win by Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir, was an upset, that certainly wasn't the case as the Icelandic beauty went into Saturday night’s event as second favourite. The 21 year old started at 13.00 with Centrebet and while she actually provided us with a good result, there had been money for her in from an opening quote of 17.00. Miss Philippines started the heavily backed 5.00 favourite and was backed to take out over $50,000 with us. Miss Mexico (26.00) ran second, while Miss Puerto Rico (15.00) wound up in third position. Serious form analysts of the event would have found Miss Iceland, as her mother won the national title back in 1983. Until next week, good punting For further information contact Gerard Daffy at Centrebet on 02 9206 8715 or centrebet@centrebet.com
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