COUSINS $1.40 ON CENTREBET TO TURN SAINT!

* AFL bad boy Ben Cousins is a $1.40 favourite with leading bookmaker Centrebet to play for St Kilda in the 2009 season!

As Cousins, the former West Coast premiership winner and Brownlow medallist, wrestles with the drug-related scrutiny he faces in the twilight of his career, the Brisbane Lions are the only other outright club in the Centrebet market, quoted at $3.50!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said you could get $6.00 for Cousins to end up at any other club, underlining the Saints' overwhelming favouritism to land the troubled on-baller!

"Given Cousins has until next week to nominate, St Kilda and the Lions are leading the race, and apart from Port Adelaide, there doesn't seem to be too many other clubs interested. But he'll go pretty late in the draft, so there would be time for another Melbourne-based club to come in late!"

WHERE WILL BEN COUSINS PLAY IN 2009?

$1.40 ST KILDA $3.50 BRISBANE $6.00 ANY OTHER CLUB

BRISBANE BLACK-OUT FOR KIWIS!!!!!

NZ SPORT FACING ITS BIGGEST BETTING BLACKOUT!

* Punters from both sides of the Tasman with leading bookmaker Centrebet have declared a "black-out" weekend for New Zealand sport, as the Kiwis go into the first cricket Test at the GABBA the longest opening price they've ever been to win a Test at the start of a Trans-Tasman series ($15.00), and the national rugby lague squad blowing to an incredible $7.00 ahead of the World Cup Rugby League showdown against Australia!

"Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been bet across both games, and it's all one-way traffic, not just from big Australian punters, but also Kiwis have seemingly given up on their own doing any damage with bat and ball, or the pigskin!" Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said. "If the money's right, NZ is about to cop the mother of all hidings at Suncorp Stadium and across town at the GABBA!"

Ahead of the first Test, Australia has surged from $1.40 into $1.33 to go 1-up, despite the inclement weather, while the Kiwis are completely friendless, drifting from an opening $9.00 out to $15.00! In the World Cup Rugby League final, Australia has shortened to $1.10 on Centrebet, with the Kiwis out to an embarrassing $7.00 - the longest price the Land of the Long White Cloud has been in decades!

Evans said nearly all the money, including big bets from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, are on Australia to cover an 18-point start at the $1.91 price! "You would have thought there'd be plenty of takers, with the Kiwis getting 18 start, but no chance. It's a Kangaroo mauling coming up!"

NOV 18, 2008

BIG KNOCK ON MARASCO AS BANK ROBBER & RIGHTFULLY YOURS FIGHT FOR RAILWAY FAVOURITISM!

* Early money with leading bookmaker Centrebet is favouring the Gai Waterhouse-trained frontrunner Bank Robber for Saturday's Group 1 feature Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot after the gelding drew gate two today.

Bank Robber, to be ridden by Blake Shinn, is quoted at $4.60, ahead of perennial winner Rightfully Yours (Craig Newitt) who is a close second elect at $4.80! Former weight-for-age star and WA favourite Marasco drifted from $5.50 out to $6.50 after drawing barrier 14, but according to Centrebet media chief and race analyst Neil Evans, he was "little or no chance" even before the wide gate came out!

"Under the conditions of the race, and given he will likely be in the back half, he's really a "double figure" chance. He's been a grand old horse, but he'll continue to get out in the market, and he'll be lucky to run in the first four," Evans said.

Evans said the barrier draw had put a gap in the market with the in-form WA galloper Gilded Venom on the fourth line at $8.50. Only four runners are under 10/1 on Centrebet, in what is a not a classical, but very competitive Railway field!

"Down on 52 kilo's under the vigour of Newitt, I like Rightfully Yours to win the race, but I expect Bank Robber, Sniper's Bullet, Famous Roman, even the ageing Niconero to all attract money at different times! There's already been several bets accepted for Bank Robber at $4.60!"

NOV 17, 2008

KANGAROOS $1.11 TO DUST KIWIS IN WORLD CUP FINAL!

* Fresh from a 52-point thumping of Fiji in a semi-final, Australia is a raging $1.11 favourite with leading bookmaker Centrebet to win the Rugby League World Cup in the showdown against arch-rival New Zealand!

The Kiwis - who had to stave off a late fightback in their semi against England - are a massive $6.25 outsider!

Centrebet's Neil Evans said the Kangaroos had earnt their overwhelming short-price favouritism, despite New Zealand's improvement during the tournament. "The Kiwis have got better, but they lack power and depth, and Australia is seemingly saving its best for last as well, and should win this showdown in a canter," Evans said.

Centrebet is likely to set a $1.91 Points Line of around 17.5, although Evans said punters were still likely to fall heavily on the Kangaroos side!

RL WORLD CUP - FINAL

$1.11 AUSTRALIA $6.25 NEW ZEALAND

* Meanwhile, punters have forgiven Australia's fall from grace in India, and are heavily backing Ricky Ponting's men to bounce back in the first cricket Test against New Zealand, starting Thursday at the GABBA!

Evans said Australia has firmed from an opening $1.42 into a $1.38 dominant favourite after a rush of money and the Black Caps meek performance against NSW in a tour match!

The Draw has eased from $4.00 out to $4.25 - while New Zealand is "friendless" in betting, drifting from $9.00 out to $9.50 on Centrebet!

NOV 13, 2008

Australia’s Interest Rates betting market: 0.50 % cut narrow fav for RBA December decision!

Australians can expect either a 0.50 per cent or even 0.75 per cent official Interest Rate cut in the Reserve Bank’s next announcement, according to the opening December market from leading financial bookmaker Centrebet!

Media chief Neil Evans said the 0.26 % up to and including 0.50 % reduction has opened a $2.25 favourite on Centrebet, just ahead of the 0.51 % to 0.75 % cut, quoted at $2.40! Punters can get $11.00 for official rates to stay the same.

“We expect punters to back both, although our feeling is the initial financial target now of a 0.75 per cent cut will slowly filter back to a 0.50 per cent announcement,” Evans said. “Yet, some punters might consider the full 1.0 per cent reduction very good value at $7.00, considering the continued economic downturn – and the brutal counter-effect the NSW slash-and-burn mini-budget is seemingly having on professional confidence!”

“Forecasts continue to tell us the official cash rate is headed for a generational low, but before that, the RBA faces a delicate balancing act with the major banks which have so far baulked at passing on the full reductions to the nation’s home owners. That is why I believe the RBA won’t be entirely savage!”

Centrebet is the first bookmaker in Australasia to field markets on the official RBA announcements on Interest Rates, and even has future plans to bet on world oil prices and currency moves!

Last month, Centrebet’s original $2.30 favourite of a 0.75 per cent cut in November drifted out to start at $7.00, with punters heavily backing the 0.50 per cent cut into a $1.50 favourite! “As we know, the 0.75 % announcement came in for us on Melbourne Cup day, so we got a bit back after punters had filled their boots in the months of September and October.

“I have no doubt, this will be another fascinating betting book, and more and more punters are putting their money where their mouth is on the crucial world of Interest rates!”

NOV 12, 2008

CLARKE $1.20 TO TAKE OVER .... AND WARNIE $26.00 TO REPLACE PUNTER!

In a market that's hardly going to make embattled Test cricket captain Ricky Ponting's breakfast taste any better, leading bookmaker Centrebet has opened the next Test leader's market with young gun Michael Clarke a hot $1.20 favourite to be the next in line, but retired leg-spinning great Shane Warne has "come from nowhere" to be a $26.00 chance!

Centrebet has middle-order batting anchor Mike Hussey an $8.00 shot, with opener and NSW veteran Simon Katich a $9.00 hope, and current Test keeper Brad Haddin priced at $13.00!

"It's pretty wide once you get past Michael Clarke who, of course, has been earmarked for the position, but we refuse to rule Shane Warne out completely. With England already beating the drum about its chances in next year's Ashes series, Warne could still be a shock inclusion, and we know about all those disgruntled ex-players and commentators who would rest easily knowing they got to watch SKW in charge for just one Test!"

Fast bowler Brett Lee is Centrebet's rank outsider at $67.00. Evans said it was unlikely punters would collect on anyone in the short-term. "I think Punter's got a while to go yet, but if there's a major hiccup against New Zealand, he may as well hand over the captain's honour there and then," Evans said.

NEXT AUSTRALIAN TEST CAPTAIN: $1.20 MICHAEL CLARKE $6.00 ANY OTHER PLAYER $8.00 MICHAEL HUSSEY $9.00 SIMON KATICH $13.00 BRAD HADDIN $26.00 MATT HAYDEN $26.00 SHANE WARNE $67.00 BRETT LEE.

NSW backlash: Coalition charge into $1.55 to win election!

Punters – seemingly as angry as all citizens in every corner of NSW – are charging in now to back the Coalition to win the next NSW State election in the wake of the slash-and-burn Labor mini budget!

Centrebet’s media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said he had firmed the Opposition from $1.70 into $1.55, despite the next election being two years away, with the imploding Labor government easing from $2.10 out to $2.30!

“We already had 90 per cent of nearly $20,000.00 that had been wagered on the Coalition leading up to and following the embarrassing meltdown of the Morris Iemma team,” Evans said. “Now punters just want to back the Coalition, almost regardless of the price. More money has come in overnight, and this may just be the start of a financial landslide over the next two years!

“Let’s fact it, the economic and decision-making incompetence of this government is so in-grained that if the State voted tomorrow, the Coalition would be $1.01. But let’s not personally cut Premier Nathan Rees to pieces, this is seemingly the eruption from a slow-burning volcano of mismanagement and non-accountability that’s infested NSW since the Bob Carr days.

“It’s incredible to think it wasn’t that long ago the NSW Coalition threw away a chance at the ballot box because the party was considered rudderless, now in a managerial sense, they can look like decorated peacekeepers!”

Evans said it would be easier to sell ice to Eskimos than a price on Labor to win the next election. “It’s only time that’s keeping them in the contest, considering we’ve already witnessed mass anti-Labor feeling at crucial NSW State by-elections, as well as various other State elections since Kevin Rudd took over at the Federal level 12 months ago!”

The NSW mini budget backlash has also resonated with Federal betting, the Coalition firming from $3.25 into $3.00 today, with Labor easing from $1.30 out to $1.35! And, in perhaps a more immediate and critical sign, punters have backed the Opposition in Qld from $2.90 down to $2.75 ahead of the Sunshine State’s election in a few months!

NOV 7, 2008

$100,000.00 TO WIN $500: NOW THAT'S BRAVE!

A an-inner Sydney punter has wagered $100,000.00 on Australia at $1.005 (1/200) to beat Papua New Guinea in the World Cup Rugby League match this weekend, and stands to win just $500.00!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said incredibly only two bets had been placed on Australia at the shortest-price that can be given, with another Sydney punter betting $50.00 to win 25c!

PNG is a whopping $21.00 to win the match, but the $1.91 Line has Australia conceding 49.5 points start.

Australia is a heavily backed $1.12 favourite to win the hopelessly lopsided World Cup, with the Kiwis at $7.50, and England now a friendless $13.00!

New Zealand is a heavily backed $1.67 favourite on Centrebet to beat England ($2.28)!

NOV 5, 2008

$2 MILLION WAGERED ON US VOTE, AS CUP DAY BETTING SURGES!

PUNTERS from around Australia and across the world have wagered nearly $2 million with leading election bookmaker Centrebet on the US presidential outcome, sending Democratic nominee Barack Obama to the starting line a heavily-backed $1.06 favourite, leaving Republican hopeful John McCain a long $8.50 outsider!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said just under $1.3 million was the total hold in head-to-head betting, while nearly $600,000.00 was traded across the 50 US voting States, and in presidential "specials," when the official book was closed at midnight eastern time!

"It was a remarkable long-running betting event, but we are not surprised given we took a ground-breaking $5.2 million at the last Australian Federal election! We still had domestic and foreign election punters putting tens of thousands of dollars on Obama to win at prohibitive odds of between $1.06 and $1.09, but of course, there were plenty of smaller and middle ground punters who decided McCain had got out to outrageous odds and were prepared to back the big outsider!"

An astonishing near 9,000 individual bets were written on the US election, but the real "Christmas present" will come for those crystal-ball punters who backed Obama way back early in 2008! "You have to remember when it was an all-in candidacy book, Obama was originally around $9.00 when Hillary Clinton was the heavily-backed early favourite. But one thing has been clear right from the outset - this has been a long presidential run-up completely dominated by the Democratic Party!"

* MEANWHILE, Centrebet reports a staggering 45 per cent increase on Melbourne Cup day turnover from 2007, with punters right across the board surging for value on Cup Day!

"Last year, we wrote nearly $2 million turnover on the Cup .. and nearly $5 million right across the Cup Day 10-race card, but this year, we are looking at probably $3.5 million and around $7 million, so the confirmation is there that punting is recession-proof, and in times of economic gloom, Australians turn to the punt to lift their spirits, and hopefully bulge their wallet," Evans said.

A record number of new clients also got involved with Centrebet on Melbourne Cup day.

OCT 29, 2008

* lead: LABOUR has shortened further in Centrebet's head-to-head NZ election market, with the arrival of further money in the last 24 hours!

* The Prime Minister Helen Clark is now in to $3.40 (from $3.85), while John Key's National Party has eased from $1.25 out to $1.31!

NZ ELECTION - WINNER

$3.40 LABOUR (Helen Clark) (in from $3.85)

$1.31 NATIONAL (John Key) (out from $1.25)

* Note: Of nearly $220,000.00 bet on NZ election, National still commands 70 % of all monies, but Labour has enjoyed 90 % of last $60,000.00 wagered! Nearly 600 individual bets have been written.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

* A Gold Coast punter has wagered $25,000.00 at $1.06 on Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the USA! The money is still incredibly strong for the Democrats, despite Obama being at a very short price!

US PRESIDENTIAL - WINNER

$1.05 BARACK OBAMA (Dem) (in from $1.06) $9.00 JOHN McCAIN (Rep) (out from $8.50)

* Note: Nearly $900,000.00 has been bet on the US Presidential book, with Obama commanding 60 % of all monies, and McCain just 20 %! Nearly 4000 individual bets have been written!

OCT 27, 2008

KIWI PUNTERS CONTINUE DRIVING PM FIGHTBACK!

* Embattled Prime Minister Helen Clark is continuing to fight back in the betting market with leading election bookmaker Centrebet firming today from $4.00 down to $3.85 as the favoured National Party eased out to $1.25 - the highest price it's been in several weeks!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said scores of Kiwi punters still believe Labour was too big a price - and have backed her down from $4.75 to $3.85 in the last few days!

"One Christchurch punter weighed in big with $10,000.00 at $4.33, but we also took NZ-based bets of $2,500.00 at $4.33, $1,500.00 at $4.33, $1,000.00 at $4.33, $1,000.00 at $4.00, and before it all started $1,000.00 at $4.75 on Friday night," Evans said. "It's the best momentum Ms Clark has enjoyed since betting opened several months back!"

Evans said 90 per cent of the last $30,000.00 had been for the PM, but he cautioned about "market correction" against any sustained feeling she would win the election!

"You have to remember, the Nationals had dominated for months, and still boast by far the biggest bets from both sides of the Tasman, and of course, the Polls are saying Ms Clark is closing the gap, so as far as the contest itself goes, the money had probably forged too big a gap between the two.

"This could well just be a correction, or it may be she's genuinely getting back into the battle. Key is still a warm favourite - and it's his vote to lose at this stage," Evans said.

"One interesting bet is a new client from Sydney's east who opened an account over the weekend specifically, it seems, to wager $2,000.00 on Clark at $4.75. From a new player, that's a real vote of confidence!"

Evans said the money in the final two weeks would be fascinating in determining if Key is the genuine favourite the market has long suggested!

Nearly 500 bets totalling around $200,000.00 have been laid on the NZ election so far, with Evans expecting the $500,000.00 mark to be nudged in the most pivotal vote in NZ history!

OCT 21, 2008

Punters hit the Princess in weak Cox Plate year!

It might be one of the weakest Cox Plate fields in memory, but it hasn’t stopped punters piling into champion New Zealand mare Princess Coup winning Saturday’s weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley!

From the moment, Australian bookmaker Centrebet reconfigured its final field market after today’s barrier draw, punters from both sides of the Tasman started backing Princess Coup (barrier 9) as a $3.80 favourite! With the injury to Pompeii Ruler and demise of Weekend Hussler, the females dominate, with top class Newcastle filly Samantha Miss (barrier 2) a clear $4.00 second favourite!

“Princess Coup won the Kelt Capital in NZ from the same gate, and again she’ll be able to sit back free from traffic jams and make her run from the half mile. But the inside draw may force Samantha Miss to race a little more forward than usual,” Centrebet media chief and race analyst Neil Evans said.

Lloyd Williams’ ageing stayer Zipping ($8.50) and impressive Toorak Hcp winner Alamosa ($9.00) are the only other runners in single figures on Centrebet!

Evans said thousands and thousands of dollars had arrived immediately for Kiwi racing’s favourite ‘Princess’ in a race that lacks depth and quality!

“It’s hard to believe two years ago, we had Fields of Omagh nudging out El Segundo and Pompeii Ruler . Behind them were horses like Miss Finland, Racing To Win, Apache Cat, Lad of the Manor, Aqua d’Amore, Casual Pass and so on! The glut of true weight-for-age gallopers, particularly from NSW, is astonishing.”

“The apparent loss of form around Group 1 winners like Sirmione and Maldivian, both quoted well ington double figures, hasn’t helped - and for all those reasons, I’m tipping Samantha Miss to become the first three-year-old filly since Surround 32 years ago to win the Plate! Savabeel was the last three-year-old to win in 2004, and Samantha Miss would give that horse windburn in what is a much weaker field!”

“We have Raheeb – beaten nearly 11 lengths in the Epsom and three lengths in the Toorak – lining up in the Cox Plate!”

OCT 20, 2008

Early punters push .26 - .50 % RBA rate cut into $2.40 favourite as bets pour in!

Punters have already started betting with leading finance bookmaker Centrebet on the next official Reserve Bank interest rate move with the 0.26 % up to 0.50 % cut forced into an early favourite after nearly 100 wagers were made!

That option has displaced the bigger cut of 0.51 to 0.75%, which has eased a point to $3.50, while some speculative punters have even backed the RBA to officially keep rates the same at a big price!

Despite the early moves, Centrebet media chief and analyst Neil Evans said he was preparing for another "significant statement" from the RBA in early November, although the current economic volatility made it difficult to predict the exact measure by which the Reserve would further attempt to shore up flattened consumer confidence!

"Our mail is the RBA will again pressure the banks into a telling reduction in the official cash rate, simply because it has a bold very low interest rate figure in mind by March, and the financial world is paranoid about the bottom falling out of the pre-Christmas retail market!" he said.

But against that, he said, the Reserve might not go as strong because some of the major lenders had already taken an early lead this month and made significant cuts of their own, so punters might think 50 basis points is as high as the RBA goes!

Evans said the smaller reduction of up to 0.25 % had eased to $5.00, while the 76 basis points up to the full percentage point had drifted as well to $6.00!

The bookmaker has added several more options in this betting market, across one-quarter per cent spreads after the RBA stunned the financial world and slashed the official cash rate by a full percentage point last month! "Last time we only had the 25 basis points cut or more than 0.25 %. As we know, when the "hype" leaked out the RBA would be severe, punters jumped out of trees to back the latter option from $3.00 down to $1.20 favourite in the last 10 days of trading - and lined their pockets!"

Centrebet is the first bookmaker in the southern hemisphere to officially offer a betting market on its country's central banking interest rate movements, and so far punters have travelled well. "The 0.25 % drop was always fancied for September - and duly went off a $1.18 favourite, before the $1.20 ‘More than 25 Basis Points’ cut saluted in October. "It's very tough because of the incredible market volatility, but the money will eventually tell us what the Reserve will do!” Nearly $100,000.00 was bet on the last Interest Rates book!

OCT 16, 2008

Liberals $1.71 to seize Ryde, while Nationals tipped to win back Port!

Leading election bookmaker Centrebet has opened the Coalition – despite chasing a massive swing - $1.71 favourite to regain the “powder-keg” NSW State seat of Ryde this Saturday after the resignation of former long-serving Labor MP and Deputy Premier John Watkins!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said that while the Coalition was attempting to claw back a lot of ground, the polls had been savage on the embattled Labor campaign – and the feeling was popular Liberal candidate Victor Dominello had the momentum to win back the seat since Michael Photios’ reign ended in 1991!

“Ryde voters are screaming, and the timing of this by-election is horrendous for the Labor government,” Evans said. “The public sees the Watkins resignation, and the virtual implosion of the Morris Iemma team, as a mantle for change, and you must remember, the greater Ryde area is a changing seat. After Maxine McKew swept to power for Labor at the Federal election in Bennelong, many would prefer to see a Coalition representative there at State level!”

Centrebet has opened little-known Labor candidate Nicole Campbell a $2.05 outsider! “It will still be close, but we have the Liberals on top.”

The other knife-edge vote will come in Port Macquarie where former Independent Rob Oakeshott’s rise to the Federal level has National candidate Leslie Williams a $1.50 favourite to win back the seat for the Coalition!

“The pressure will come from Independent Peter Besseling ($2.47) who has the tick of approval from Oakeshott, although voters may play their cards safe this time in what was long a National heartland,” Evans said.

In the other two NSW by-elections – former Premier Iemma’s seat of Lakemba and former Health Minister Reba Meagher’s Cabramatta - Labor is at very short odds to retain both seats!

OCT 14, 2008

HERE COMES SAMANTHA!

* A Melbourne punter with leading bookmaker Centrebet has backed star Sydney filly Samantha Miss to win nearly $120,000.00 in Saturday week's Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said the punter, who bets sparingly but shrewdly, wagered nearly $20,000.00 on Samantha Miss at $6.50, forcing Centrebet to trim the champion filly's price up to $5.00!

"It was a big statement to suggest it might be another year for the three-year-olds in Australasia's premier weight-for-age event," Evans said. "After Samantha Miss cut a swathe through the three-year-old series in Sydney with her last-start win on slow ground in the Flight Stakes at Randwick, punters are warming to her becoming the first three-year-old filly to win the great race in more than 30 years!"

And I have to agree - this filly is not only supremely talented, she's tough as well, and can sustain her run to the finish even under heavy pressure. It's hard to believe now with top class NZ mare Princess Coup and Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler now sharing favouritism on the $4.50 line, but we might even see Samantha Miss start favourite, which would be unheard of!"

Evans said, at this stage, it looked a race in three, although nearly $10,000.00 in bets had arrived for the Mick Price-trained former Kiwi Alamosa after its slashing win in the Toorak at Caulfield on the weekend! Alamosa has shortened from $15.00 into $13.00! One Sydney professional punter had $5,000.00 at $15.00!

"After Samantha Miss, Weekend Hussler is the best backed, although how much of that is 'hype' or sentimental money?" Evans said. "But Zipping has also firmed as well, from $13,00 into $11.00, after a string of action, including a Brisbane punter who had $2,500.00 at $13.00!"

OCT 9, 2008

KEY TO FORMING GOVERNMENT!

* An Auckland election punter has plunged nearly $70,000.00 (NZ) with leading bookmaker Centrebet on National leader John Key becoming the next New Zealand Prime Minister as embatteld Labour leader Helen Clark drifts to an unwanted $4.50!

Centrebet's media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said the latest round of campaign-trail agendas, including pivotal budgetary announcements, has seemingly shored up the Nationals' march towards government, with the party owning nearly 90 per cent of the Centrebet book!

"This latest wager from a relatively new Centrebet client is the biggest in the election battle so far, but comes only a week after a New Plymouth punter outlayed nearly $5,000.00 on the Nationals as well," Evans said.

"John Key's party has shortend up dramatically from $1.22 into $1.18, with Labour blowing from around $4.00 a week ago out to $4.50. It's the biggest statement so far since betting opened several months back that Helen Clark's reign looks over, and New Zealand appears headed for a change of government!"

Evans said nearly $150,000.00 had been bet on the election so far, with the National Party completely dominating. "Even with the Opposition's price firming all the time, punters are still hopping on. Ms Clark seemingly has four weeks left to pull the biggest rabbit out of the hat in Kiwi political history!

The Opposition National Party originally opened a $1.45 favourite on Centrebet, with Labour a $2.70 outsider, but the betting momentum has been virtually one-way traffic from both sides of the Tasnman since June!

OCT 2, 2008

$3.55 THE HUSSLER - STORM DOUBLE ON CENTREBET!

* Bookmaker Centrebet has launched a special two-leg bet, coupling racing superstar Weekend Hussler into both NRL Grand Final combatants!

Punters can take Weekend Hussler to win Saturday's Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington into Manly winning the NRL showdown at $3.00, or the Hussler with the Melbourne Storm at $3.55!

"It gives punters another way to load up on the Hussler," Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said. "I'm tipping a lot of punters will take both combinations. After the Hussler wins on Saturday, they can sit back and know they're on a winner, regardless of which club takes the premiership on Sunday night!"

Victorians, in particular, will love the pro-Melbourne combination, Evans added!

OCT 1, 2008

MANLY & STORM $4.00 IN '09, WHILE COWBOYS SHORT AT $9.00, AND RABBITOHS AND RAIDERS BRING UP THE REAR!

* Bookmaker Centrebet has opened Sunday's grand final combatants Manly and Melbourne $4.00 equal favourites to win the NRL in 2009!

* The biggest shock is the NQ Cowboys posted on the third line at $9.00 behind the Sharks at $6.50, while Souths and Canberra are the cometition's co-outsiders at $41.00!

* Meanwhile, big punters are starting to steam into Melbourne, despite being a $2.15 outsider against Manly ($1.70) on Sunday night.

* Centrebet's Neil Evans said a rush of money has come for the Storm today, from both sides of the country, including wagers of $10,000.00, $6,000.00 and two each at $5,000.00!

Blow that whistle ref: Punters back 10 or more in NRL showdown!

In a bizarre betting move, punters are convinced there’s an old-fashioned “softening up” period coming in Sunday’s NRL decider, backing the OVER 9.5 penalty option at $1.90 in a novel market with leading bookmaker Centrebet!

As part of a record number of markets on the NRL Grand Final, punters were offered an Over/Under Penalty line set at 9.5, and according to Centrebet media chief Neil Evans, they’re exclusively going one way!

“Tony Archer better do a few extra laps of the block, and make sure the pea in the whistle is working well, because virtually every bet that’s arrived – from $5.00 up to $1,000.00 - has been for 10 penalties or more,” Evans said.

“I reckon they’re banking on the penalties being dished out early to keep these teams apart before the football is played. There’s some bad blood in the forward packs, and deep down I suspect the Storm really believe Matt Orford is about as dangerous as a one-legged man in a bum-kicking competition, so look out!”

In match betting, Manly continues to hold sway at $1.70, with the Storm a narrow $2.15 outsider, although bet numbers are running 2:1 Melbourne’s way! But in the margin betting, the Storm by both 1-12 and 13+ is proving popular with tens of thousands of dollars traded already! The $1.91 Line remains at 2.5 points.

“Despite the Storm’s volatile build-up to the Grand Final, it seems punters are far from convinced Manly has the cavalry to upset the team that’s been the attacking benchmark for three seasons,” Evans added!

SEPT 26, 2008

CATS & STORM HEAD MULTI CHARGE ON CENTREBET!

* Big multi players are starting to charge into the favourites in tomorrow's AFL Grand Final and the GF qualifiers in the National Rugby League!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said a short time ago a big Melbourne punter had nearly $30,000.00 on Geelong at $1.45 into the Melbourne Storm at $1.60 - and all-up price of $2.32!

Evans said another punter from Sydney's west has had $10,000.00 on Geelong, the Storm and Manly all winning this weekend at a combined price of $3.14!

Another punter from Melbourne has gone for the giant collect, investing $1,000.00 on Geelong into seven different legs of UK and European football games on the weekend - which would net him a near $200,000.00 if he pulls its off!

But the most alarming bet of the day belongs to a Centrebet client from provincial Japan who's outlayed the equivalent of $3,000.00 in $US on the Cats to win at $1.45. "Now it's the Land of the Rising Cat!"

GF Special: 5:1 money for Geelong as big bets roll in! Big punters declare the Cats will go back-to-back!

Every big punter in the country with leading bookmaker Centrebet is declaring Geelong will establish itself as one of the finest teams in the modern AFL era by winning back-to-back flags – and some say they’ll do it comfortably!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said that while Hawthorn was matching the Cats in actual bet numbers, the money was running 5:1 Geelong’s way – as they threaten to take a vice-like grip on favouritism for tomorrow’s showdown!

“We’ve taken a Victorian plunge of $100,000.00 at $1.45, nearly $50,000.00 from an Adelaide client at the same price, $20,000.00 from Melbourne early at $1.43, and a spread of $10.000.00 wagers from ‘smart’ operators across Sydney and Melbourne,” Evans said. “To date, $5,000.00 at $2.90 on Hawthorn is our biggest bet!”

“The staggering thing is that of nearly 1000 bets made already, half are for the Hawks, proving all the smaller punters and sentimental followers are with the underdogs, but the big pro’s want nothing but Geelong!”

Evans said nearly one-quarter of a million had been traded on the AFL grand final so far, with nearly $200,000.00 of that on Geelong! “We’ve even had several four-figure bets for the Cats to cover a 15.5 Line at $1.92, and nearly $20,000.00 has been bet both ways on Geelong winning by 1-39 and even 40 +! The big statements have been made – maybe they’ve got a loop tape of the 1989 grand final doing the rounds 24-7 down at Skilled Stadium on a big screen”!

One punter has had nearly $10,000.00 on the Cats by 25 or over at $2.25, but another has boldly put $500.00 on the match finishing in a draw at $56.00, and will collect nearly $30,000.00 if the teams are locked up at the final siren!

Geelong’s on-ball pair Gary Ablett ($7.00) and Jimmy Bartel ($8.00) still head Centrebet’s Norm Smith Medal market ahead of Hawks duo Lance Franklin ($9.00) and Luke Hodge ($11.00)!

SEPT 25, 2008

CAT CARNAGE!

* An Adelaide punter has poured nearly $50,000.00 into Geelong at $1.45 winning Saturday's AFL premiership with bookmaker Centrebet as the money around the country continues to pile for back-to-back Cats supremacy!

Centrebet's Neil Evans said the money was pouring in at a rate of 9:1 for Geelong to beat outsiders Hawthorn ($2.85), despite most tipsters predicting a tightish game!

"I'm staggered by the early weight of money for Geelong," Evans said. "This punter wagered in two separate bets to win over $20,000.00 - and we also took $10,000.00 from a Melbourne punter, just under $10,000.00 from Victoria, and a Sydney man got on at $1.43 for nearly $7,000.00. It's a big early "go" - and a few thousand is the biggest lone bet on the Hawks so far!"

Evans said the 15.5 $1.92 Line is in danger of being pushed out already because of the big backing for Geelong!

Another Sydney punter had also wagered $10,000.00 on the Cats with 24.5 start at $1.13!

SEPT 23, 2008

THE US HOT-BEDS AS EVERY STATE OPENS FOR BETTING!

* The American states of Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia could hold the key to who takes power in the White House, according to leading election bookmaker Centrebet who has released its watershed markets for every state going to the polls, as well as special party and leader break-out markets!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said this was the most comprehensive assessment of an American presidential contest in history, and punters would take to the state-by-state assessment with a "fine tooth comb!"

"There's obviously a lot of cut-and-dried states on both the Republican and Democratic sides, but Nevada looks the biggest melting pot, with both parties priced at $1.87, while the Republicans are $1.77 to win crucial Virginia and the Democrats right in the hunt at $1.99!"

In New Hampshire, the Democrats are a $1.58 favourite ahead of the Republicans at $2.30, Ohio has the Republicans a narrow $1.74 favourite against the Democrats ($2.03), while the Democrats are a narrow $1.70 fancy to win Colorado against $2.10 for the Republicans!

Wyoming is considered the safest Republican seat at $1.005 (1/200), with the Democrats at $15.00!

In 2004 Retroactive betting, Obama is a $1.25 fancy to win all the John Kerry states, but McCain is a long $8.00 shot to be successful in all the George Bush states!

US PRESIDENTIAL - THE STATES! ALABAMA $1.01 REP $14.00 DEM ALASKA $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP ARIZONA $1.06 REP $8.00 DEM ARKANSAS $1.06 REP $8.00 DEM CALIFORNIA $1.05 DEM $9.00 REP COLORADO $1.70 DEM $2.10 REP CONNECTICUT $1.02 DEM $12.00 REP DELAWARE $1.05 DEM $9.00 REP DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP FLORIDA $1.47 REP $2.58 DEM GEORGIA $1.04 REP $9.50 DEM HAWAII $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP IDAHO $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP ILLINOIS $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP INDIANA $3.20 DEM $1.33 REP IOWA $1.16 DEM $4.85 REP KANSAS $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP KENTUCKY $12.00 DEM $1.02 REP LOUISIANA $12.00 DEM $1.02 REP MAINE $1.05 DEM $9.00 REP MARYLAND $1.02 DEM $12.00 REP MASSACHUSETTS $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP MICHIGAN $1.45 DEM $2.65 REP MINNESOTA $1.22 DEM $4.00 REP MISSISSIPPI $12.00 DEM $1.02 REP MISSOURI $3.35 DEM $1.30 REP MONTANA $4.25 DEM $1.20 REP NEBRASKA $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP NEVADA $1.87 DEM $1.87 REP NEW HAMPSHIRE $1.58 DEM $2.30 REP NEW JERSEY $1.07 DEM $7.50 REP NEW MEXICO $1.36 DEM $3.00 REP NEW YORK $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP NTH CAROLINA $3.50 DEM $1.28 REP NTH DAKOTA $5.50 DEM $1.13 REP OHIO $2.03 DEM $1.74 REP OKLAHOMA $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP OREGON $1.14 DEM $5.25 REP PENNSYLVANIA $1.28 DEM $3.50 REP RHODE ISLAND $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP STH CAROLINA $9.50 DEM $1.04 REP STH DAKOTA $6.00 DEM $1.11 REP TENNESSEE $12.00 DEM $1.02 REP TEXAS $10.50 DEM $1.03 REP UTAH $14.00 DEM $1.01 REP VERMONT $1.01 DEM $14.00 REP VIRGINIA $1.99 DEM $1.77 REP WASHINGTON $1.12 DEM $5.75 REP WEST VIRGINIA $4.85 DEM $1.16 REP WISCONSIN $1.22 DEM $4.00 REP WYOMING $15.00 DEM $1.005 REP US PRESIDENTIAL - SPECIALS POPULAR VOTE - DEM PARTY $1.75 50 % OR OVER $1.88 UNDER 50 % POPULAR VOTE - REP PARTY $1.82 48 % OR OVER $1.82 UNDER 48 % CONFUSED YANKS - RECOUNT IN ANY STATE? $4.50 YES $1.14 NO ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES $2.40 OBAMA WINS 270-310 $2.50 OBAMA WINS 311-338 $2.75 McCAIN WINS 270-315 $5.00 OBAMA WINS 339-383 $11.00 OBAMA WIN 384 OR MORE $11.00 McCAIN WINS 370 OR MORE $11.00 TIE 269 - 269 $15.00 McCAIN WINS 316-340 $17.00 McCAIN WINS 341-369 2004 RETROACTIVE - OBAMA WINS ALL KERRY STATES $1.25 YES $3.25 NO 2004 RETROACTIVE - McCAIN WINS ALL BUSH STATES $8.00 YES $1.03 NO US PRESIDENTIAL - WINNER $2.47 JOHN McCAIN (REP) $1.52 BARACK OBAMA (DEM)

SEPT 22, 2008

BARTEL'S LATE CHARGE!

Defending Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel is making a storming late run with punters, firming from 4.25 equal second favourite into $3.65 with leading bookmaker Centrebet after a flurry of bets!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said nearly $35,000.00 had arrived for Bartel today, completely dominating the countdown to tonight's medal!

"He's the only one they wan t late - we took $10,000.00 from an astute Melbourne client, $8,000.00 from Sydney, another $5,000.00 from Melbourne, and plenty more around it," Evans said. "Gary Ablett's moved out from $2.20 to $2.35, and there's been very little today for the Kangaroos' great hope Brent Harvey ($4.25)!"

Evans said the only other player to attract good money today was Geelong on-baller Joel Corey who had firmed from $21.00 into $17.00 to cause the upset.

Evans said Adelaide's Scott Thompson, Collingwood's Dane Swan, Carlton's Chris Judd and West Coast's Dean Cox had all been heavily backed to be the top vote-getter at their respective clubs!

Centrebet has offered a record number of Brownlow markets this year, including individual markets for the highest vote-getter for each club, team markets, as well as a range of player v player markets.

Brownlow: Punters want the Cats, despite Harvey charge!

Punters are again warming to Geelong’s defending Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel swooping late to steal “Charlie” from under team-mate and perennial favourite Gary Ablett’s nose, despite Kangaroos’ veteran Brent Harvey boasting his greatest chance of winning the AFL’s top individual honour!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said a surge of money had arrived for Bartel today, pushing him in from $4.25 into $4.00, with Ablett easing slightly from $2.20 to $2.25. Harvey is a rock-solid $4.25 third-elect!

“I like Harvey to defy all the Cats tonight,” Evans said. “And he can do us a big favour by winning. Harvey’s a great result for us, but any of the Cats, Ablett, Bartel – even Joel Corey who’s firmed from $21.00 into $17.00 today – aren’t so. But I think it will be very competitive all the way to the final rounds. Certainly, Ablett will get out in front, and they’ll have to run him down!”

Centrebet has offered a record number of Brownlow markets this year, including individual markets for the highest vote-getter for each club, team markets, as well as a range of player v player markets.

Meanwhile, punters have taken an early fancy to Geelong in the Grand Final, with one Melbourne punter investing $10,000.00 on the Cats at $1.42, while a Sydney client had $5,000.00. Scores of other smaller bets have arrived for Geelong as well, but little early on the Hawks who opened $2.90 on Centrebet.

"Early indications are this will be a sensational betting showdown," he said. "These two teams were ear-marked for the last Saturday in September way back in April, and I expect there'll be huge money both ways, especially for Hawthorn from $2.90. I'm sure some punters will think the odds are too big for the Hawks, but the smart ones would have taken $4.00 in flag betting before they easily disposed of St Kilda!"

Ablett is the early $7.00 favourite to win the Norm Smith Medal on Saturday, ahead of Bartel ($8.00) followed by the Hawthorn pair Lance Franklin ($9.00) and Luke Hodge ($11.00).

BYE-BYE BROOKE: $15.00 INTO $3.00 TO BE ELIMINATED IN SENSATIONAL IDOL PLUNGE!

* Perth-born Melbourne schoolgirl Brooke Addamo has been sensationally backed with leading entertainment bookmaker Centrebet to be eliminated from Australian Idol tonight!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said several "smart" punters had "banged down the door" today to back Addamo to go, she's firmed dramatically from $15.00 into $3.00!

"It's not something you see too often," Evans said. "Thousands of dollars from nowhere arrived for Addamo from $15.00 down, and she's the only one they want to back to be eliminated tonight!"

Addamo is now $3.00 to get the boot ahead of Thanh Bui ($4.00) and Tom Williams ($5.00)!

* Ironically, though, Addamo is not the roughest in the Idol winner's market, quoted at $14.00 behind favourite Wes Carr ($3.75) but shorter than the rank outsider Luke Dickens at $21.00!

SEPT 19, 2008

LATE PLUNGE ON THE WARRIORS!!!

* A Sydney punter - in the midst of a big winning streak - has wagered $60,000.00 on the NZ Warriors at $1.63 to beat the Roosters in Auckland tonight and reach the last 4 in the NRL!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said the punter placed the headline bet in and around a sustained rush of money for the Kiwis with the bookmaker since lunchtime today!

"After the money was both ways earlier in the week, they've really climbed into the Warriors this afternoon," Evans said. "Nearly $100,000.00 has arrived for the Kiwis from both sides of the Tasman - and they're dominating big bet numbers by 3:1 against the Roosters!

The Warriors are still at $1.63 on Centrebet, with the Roosters easing out to $2.30! A further $30,000.00 has been wagered on the Warriors to cover a - 3.5 Line at $1.92!

* Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm continues to be well backed to beat the Broncos in Brisbane tomorrow night!

Evans said the Storm had firmed from an opening $1.57 into $1.50, while the scandal-hit Broncos had eased from $2.40 out to $2.65.

SEPT 16, 2008

STORM $1.57 FAV ON CENTREBET TO PUT AWAY EMBATTLED BRONCOS!

* The Melbourne Storm has opened a $1.57 favourite to beat scandal-hit Brisbane Broncos ($2.40) in this weekend's NRL sudden-death showdown!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said that while official police investigations were continuing over the sexual assault allegations, the Broncos would have an enormous task to pick themselves up and beat a Storm side, carrying a wealth of punters' premiership money, and still smarting after the shock loss at home to the Warriors on Sunday!

"Brisbane has named the players in question in the side, and they have to start this one the clear outsider, but where there's so much money and emotion involved, I'm expecting the Broncos to be backed at that price," Evans said. "I think by kick-off they'll be a lot closer together in the market, but I'll be stunned if Brisbane claims favouritism!"

Evans said many punters were backing the winner of this match - the most anticipated of the season - to go on and claim the premiership! "This is the tough side of the draw, and punters know it," he said.

"This game could well be a record hold for the season.

In the other sudden-death semi-final, the rejuvenated Warriors back at home have opened up a $1.65 favourite, with the Roosters a $2.25 outsider! "Despite the Roosters strong record against NZ, I'm tipping the Warriors could shorten a whole lot more," Evans said.

COALITION SHORTENS TO $3.25 AFTER TURNBULL TAKES CONTROL!

* Leading election bookmaker Centrebet has significantly trimmed up the Coalition bid to win government at the next Federal Election after Malcolm Turnbull stormed to the Liberal leadership, shortening the Opposition from $4.00 into $3.25!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said Turnbull had always been earmarked by long-term Coalition strategists to the man to lead the embattled party to the next election, and his 45-41 partyroom victory over Brendan Nelson was "no surprise"! "We had Turnbull around $1.65 and Nelson $2.25, so we're not surprised. Dr Nelson was always a stop-gap "re-build bridges" leader, Evans added!

Evans said even though the election was not scheduled for 2010/11, several thousand dollars had arrived for the Coalition in the last few weeks, including one bet of $1000.00 overnight! "It will still be a long road back, but waves of anti-Labor sentiment are definitely starting to resonate with punters, and that will only grow under a Turnbull reign! The Coalition has shortened from an opening price of $4.50 when the market first opened 10 months ago to $3.25, while Labor has eased from an opening $1.18 to $1.30 - and taken very little money!

AUST FED ELECTION (Sch: 2010/11)

$1.30 LABOR (out from $1.23) $3.25 COALITION (in from $4.00)

SEPT 15, 2008

Broncos out to $7.00 as NRL betting resumes with Storm on top!

Leading bookmaker Centrebet has resumed betting on the NRL premiership, with the scandal-plagued Brisbane Broncos out to $7.00 and the Melbourne Storm reclaiming favouritism from Manly!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said despite police investigations continuing this afternoon with three Broncos players allegedly involved in a weekend sexual assault, the bookmaker had re-opened the market with the Storm back in to $2.65 favourite (from $2.90) displacing Manly at the top who ease from $2.85 to $2.90!

“A formal complaint has been made - and if resulting charges occur - Brisbane would be likely to head into the biggest game this season without some of their biggest names,” Evans said! “The betting world had been on hold all day because the Storm and the Broncos have been the heaviest backed sides all season, and this is tipped to be the biggest betting match of the season!”

Evans said the revised market showed this latest scandal could be the break to get Melbourne’s back-to-back title challenge back on track after yesterday’s shock loss to the Warriors!

“The entire NRL season could swing on the result of this investigation because many punters believe the winner of this match will go on to take the title!”

When the police investigation broke last night, the Storm had lost favouritism for the first time this season, at one stage out to $3.15 before a flurry of money late last night pushed them back in to $2.90, just behind Manly!

“The longer this drags on, the more the Storm will be fancied, and I understand the allegations are very serious! We took a bet of $20,000.00 last night on Melbourne, only moments after news of the controversy first came out!”

NRL – PREMIERSHIP

$2.65 MELBOURNE (in from $2.90) $2.90 MANLY (out from $2.85) $7.00 BRISBANE (out from $6.00) $7.00 SHARKS $15.00 WARRIORS $15.00 ROOSTERS

Betting suspended as police probe Broncos – and Storm lose favouritism!

Leading bookmaker Centrebet has suspended all NRL premiership betting after police began an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving three Brisbane Broncos players on Saturday night!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said the entire NRL season could swing on the Broncos-Storm blockbuster this weekend, so the market was taken down until police completed investigations into an incident in the toilet of a Fortitude Valley venue on Saturday night!

At the time, the Storm had lost favouritism for the first time this season, at one stage out to $3.15 behind new premiership favourite Manly ($2.85) before a flurry of money late last night pushed the Storm back in to $2.90!

“The Broncos had firmed to $5.50 to win the title before easing to $6.00 after the money for Melbourne, but with a home semi now, Brisbane is well placed to make a surge for another title,” Evans said. “Outside of Melbourne, they’re the best-backed side in premiership betting so the fall-out from this investigation is critical!”

Evans said the Storm’s shock 18-15 loss to eighth-placed Warriors had blown the competition wide open, and the NZ side had charged from an unwanted $67.00 hope into $13.00 to win the title before easing slightly overnight to $15.00!

"The Storm has been a clear and heavily-backed favourite all year, and were odds-on coming into the first week of the finals. Manly was the closest at $5.50 and the Broncos $8.00," Evans said. "So as far as the betting markets go, this result is probably the biggest finals upset in the 11 seasons of the NRL - and proves the Storm can be beat!"

Evans said the "betting blow" against Melbourne was partly due to the fact they must beat the rampaging Broncos in Brisbane next weekend - possibly without forwards Ryan Hoffman and Jeff Lima - just to stay alive!

NRL – PREMIERSHIP (when betting was suspended)

$2.85 MANLY (in from $5.50) $2.90 MELBOURNE (out from $1.75) $6.00 BRISBANE (in from $8.00) $7.00 SHARKS (in from $11.00) $15.00 WARRIORS (in from $67.00) $15.00 ROOSTERS (out from $11.00)

SEPT 11, 2008

CENTREBET INTEREST RATES LEAD///CENTREBET INTERESTS RATE LEAD///

* PUNTERS HAVE CONTINUED TO SWARM TO BACK RBA OFFICIAL RATES STAYING THE SAME NEXT MONTH!!!

* NEARLY $25,000.00 HAS NOW BEEN STAKED ON THIS OPTION - AND IT HAS SHORTENED ALARMINGLY FROM $2.40 INTO $1.90 IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

* THIS FOLLOWS MORE BETS TODAY, INCLUDING ONE OF $3,000.00 AT $2.40 FROM A PUNTER IN SYDNEY'S NORTH!

* RATES STAYING THE SAME IS NOW INTO THE "RED" AT $1.90 (FROM AN OPENING $5.00), WHILE THE 0.25 % CUT HAS DRIFTED OUT FROM AN OPENING $1.22 TO $1.75!!!

CURRENT MARKET ON RBA OCT DECISION///

$1.75 OFFICIAL CUT OF 0.25 % (out from $1.50) $1.90 OFFICIAL RATE STAYS THE SAME (in from $2.40) $15.00 OFFICIAL CUT OF MORE THAN 0.25 % (out from $13.00) $201.00 ANY OFFICIAL INCREASE

SEPT 10, 2008

PUNTERS HOP ON THE BRONCO WAGON AGAINST ROOSTERS!

Nearly $60,000.00 has been wagered today with Centrebet on the Broncos to beat the Roosters this weekend, including one bet a short time ago from a regular Sydney punter of $30,000.00 at $1.75!

Broncos have now firmed from $1.75 into $1.70, while Roosters have eased from $2.08 to $2.15!!!

* Centrebet punters in the city and the bush are piling into the Broncos to have the first say in the NRL Qualifying Finals weekend, snapping up the $1.75 offered to beat the Roosters this weekend!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said scoers of bets had arrived for Brisbane since the market went up last night, including $3,000.00 from a Sydney punter at $1.91 (- 2.0), a similar bet from the state's north, just under $2,500.00 from another Sydney client at $1.75, and even $2,000.00 from a punter in the NSW central-west at $1.75!

"They like the Broncos price, despite the fact, the Roosters ($2.08) preparing for payback after a controversial Friday night loss to Brisbane at the SFS a few months back," Evans said. "It will be very interesting to see if this trend continues through the day, especially with NSW punters right around the state prepared to back the visitors from north of the border!"

* In other qualifying finals, $1.38 favourite Cronulla has taken the early money against Canberra, particularly at the $2.10 price giving up 9.5 points, Manly is holding its $1.42 favouritism at home against the Dragons, while several thousand dollars has already been invested on minor premiers Melbourne Storm ($1.15) to beat the NZ warriors convincingly!

PUNTERS HOP ON THE BRONCO WAGON AGAINST ROOSTERS!

* Centrebet punters in the city and the bush are piling into the Broncos to have the first say in the NRL Qualifying Finals weekend, snapping up the $1.75 offered to beat the Roosters this weekend!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said scoers of bets had arrived for Brisbane since the market went up last night, including $3,000.00 from a Sydney punter at $1.91 (- 2.0), a similar bet from the state's north, just under $2,500.00 from another Sydney client at $1.75, and even $2,000.00 from a punter in the NSW central-west at $1.75!

"They like the Broncos price, despite the fact, the Roosters ($2.08) preparing for payback after a controversial Friday night loss to Brisbane at the SFS a few months back," Evans said. "It will be very interesting to see if this trend continues through the day, especially with NSW punters right around the state prepared to back the visitors from north of the border!"

* In other qualifying finals, $1.38 favourite Cronulla has taken the early money against Canberra, particularly at the $2.10 price giving up 9.5 points, Manly is holding its $1.42 favouritism at home against the Dragons, while several thousand dollars has already been invested on minor premiers Melbourne Storm ($1.15) to beat the NZ warriors convincingly!

SEPT 8, 2008

PIES OPEN $1.72 TO SEND THE SAINTS PACKING!

Rejuvenated Collingwood has opened a $1.72 favourite to beat St Kilda ($2.10) this weekend and advance to the last four of the AFL flag race!

"The Magpies off-the-floor win away to the Crows has pitch-forked them into favouritism, and St Kilda will be petrified meeting Collingwood now," Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a big move for the Pies even from an odds-on quote!"

In the other second week semi-final, Western Bulldogs is $1.75 to repel the Sydney Swans ($2.10)!

* In flag betting, both Geelong - now a rampaging $1.30 fancy - and Hawthorn (in from $4.75 to $3.65) - have both shortened dramatically, while no other club is under $26.00!

"It's the greatest two-horse race in history," Evans said. "Never before have four clubs in the final six been from $26.00 to $41.00 - and couldn't see the other two with the latest pair of tip-top binoculars!"

* In Grand Final quinella betting, the Cats-Hawks pairing is now in to $1.25!

Labor $1.50 favourite to retain power in ACT Election!

Despite a backlash against the ALP in two elections since the Federal party swept to power nine months ago, Labor has opened a $1.50 favourite to win a third-straight term in the ACT General Election on October 18!

Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said while Chief Minister Jon Stanhope was under increasing pressure to hold office in the ACT, the Liberal Party challenge appeared “a little weak” six weeks out from the poll, opening a $2.40 outsider!

“We’ve seen in the Northern Territory and WA, incumbent Labor governments paying the price for electoral complacency,” Evans said. “The ALP was a massively-backed favourite in the NT, and only just scraped home, while Labor is clinging to a threadbare hope it can form a minority government in alliance with the Nationals in WA.”

“Labor holds a nine of 17 seat majority in the ACT, so it wouldn’t take much of a swing away to bring another hung parliament. But on face value Labor’s team looks stronger, especially with the Liberals’ once high-profile fundraising group, including former Chief Minister Kate Carnell, now claiming they will throw their financial support behind independents!

“And the Opposition was not long back forced to forego a seat when former Shadow Treasurer Richard Mulcahy was expelled from the party, so in effect, the Liberals must pick up at least three seats to form government!”

Evans said smaller parties, including the ACT Greens which holds one seat, would be a pivotal force – and given major party politics in this country are under unprecedented pressure – they could well end up holding the balance of power!

But while local infrastructure issues have seemingly plagued public confidence in Labor , Liberal leader Zed Seselja is still considered raw, and leads a team that will start a clear outsider,” Evans added.

SEPT 3, 2008

EARLY PUNTERS BACK INTEREST RATES TO STAY THE SAME NEXT MONTH!

* Early punters with leading bookmaker Centrebet are piling into rates staying the same when the Reserve Bank makes its next official announcement, expected in October!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said scores of punters had backed the Rates Staying the Same option at $5.00 within minutes of the market going up after yesterday's RBA 25 basis point cut announcement - and the option had now shortened to $3.50!

"It's been very interesting the initial reaction. The early favourite at $1.22 - the official rate announcement going down again by 0.25 per cent - has now eased out to $1.30, while Rates dropping by more than 0.25 per cent (effectively 0.5 %) now looks an unlikely home loaners' luxury, easing from $6.00 to $8.00," Evans said.

"I still believe there's some big business on the favourite to come, but we've taken several thousand dollars on Rates Staying the Same, including individual bets of $2,000.00, two at $1,000.00 and plenty around the $500.00 mark!"

Even the massive $101.00 outsider - official rates increasing - has been specked by smaller punters!

Evans claimed the bookmaker’s watershed financial markets would become the new phenomena of betting in much the same way election results have become one of the most popular and robust markets here and abroad!

“The buzz around the Interest Rates betting has crackled around the financial world, the media and punters around the country,” Evans said. “It’s a sophisticated market where knowledge and money can make a lot of noise!”

“The economy has welcomed a substantial cooling, and spending has slowed dramatically,” he said. “Most financial forecasters will tell you that a round of cuts is needed to get the economic and inflationary cycle back on feel-good ground, but informed punters are now telling us the RBA might first apply the handbrake before hitting the accelerator again"!

SEPT 1, 2008

Cats $1.13 to smash Saints, as Pies go to Adelaide $2.23 outsider!

The shortest-priced premiership favourite in AFL history going into a final series, Geelong has opened a raging $1.13 favourite with leading bookmaker Centrebet to beat rejuvenated St Kilda ($6.00) in the qualifying final at the MCG this Sunday!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said the Cats were "off the map" at $1.40 to win back-to-back flags, way shorter than the last odds-on fancy Essendon ($1.90) at the same stage in its last premiershp year in 2000! But, Evans said, Geelong had amazingly shifted out slightly after St Kilda's mighty march into fourth place with a 108-point belting of Essendon yesterday!

"They would have been even shorter against Adelaide in Melbourne, but now away from Skilled Stadium, the Saints aren't completely hopeless in this one, despite their massive head-to-head price," Evans said.

In other opening finals prices on Centrebet, hanging-by-a-thread Collingwood now goes to AAMI Stadium against the Crows a $2.23 outsider, with Adelaide a $1.65 fancy to advance to the following weekend!

The struggling Sydney Swans will be sweating on big guns Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin returning, and have opened a $1.75 fancy in its elimination tilt with the Kangaroos ($2.07), while in Friday night's first qualifying final at the MCG, Hawthorn has opened a hot $1.33 favourite to get past the Western Bulldogs ($3.30)!

In premiership betting, the Hawks are $4.75 second-elect, with the Bulldogs way out at $15.00 and St Kilda the biggest mover from the weekend shortening from $23.00 to $17.00!

AUG 27, 2008

Australia’s First Interest Rates betting market:

Rates down by 0.25 % - Centrebet’s $1.25 favourite!

Leading bookmaker Centrebet has launched Australia’s first ever Interest Rates betting market, announcing a 0.25 per cent cut in the official cash rate next month as the long odds-on $1.25 favourite!

Centrebet has a cut of more than 0.25 per cent on the second line at $3.50 ahead of $5.00 quoted for official rates staying the same! The good news from the bookmaker is there appears little or no chance of rates going up, with a 0.25 per cent increase priced at $51.00 and an even bigger rise at a whopping $201.00!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said this was the most fascinating financial-related market the bookmaker had released!

“We are world regarded for our range of election markets at all levels, and this year we started betting on weather patterns and rainfall. Now, for the first time in Australia’s history, punters can stake their knowledge and money on the single most important influence on Australian households – interest rates!”

Evans said anyone thinking the Reserve would make a mockery of economic forecasters next week and lift rates again can get massive odds - $51.00 if the official cash rate rises by 0.25 per cent, and $201.00 if the increase is even bigger!”

“But the economy has welcomed a substantial cooling, and key financial forecasters are tipping relief for Australia’s home loan customers,” Evans said. “In fact, our market suggests the rates should only go down, with 25 base points the hot favourite!”

AUSTRALIA’S OFFICIAL INTEREST RATE DIRECTION?

$1.25 OFFICIAL RATE CUT BY 0.25 % $3.50 OFFICIAL RATE CUT BY MORE THAN 0.25 % $5.00 OFFICIAL RATE STAYS THE SAME $51.00 OFFICIAL RATE INCREASED BY 0.25 % $201.00 OFFICIAL RATE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 0.25 %

AUG 26, 2008

The Liberal Party has shortened further in the WA election market today, as support continues to arrive, since this morning's earlier story!!!

LATEST/////

$1.25 LABOR (out from $1.23) $3.50 LIBERAL (in from $3.75)

LIBS SHORTEN TO $3.75 IN WA!!

* An astute election punter with leading bookmaker Centrebet has placed nearly $2,000.00 at $4.00 on Colin Barnett's Opposition Liberal Party to seize power in Saturday week's WA State election from odds-on favourite Labor!

The punter, a middle-aged female from suburban Adelaide, has a sound history in election betting, and has backed the outsider to win nearly $8,000.00! Centrebet has again trimmed up the Liberal price from $4.00 into $3.75 after steady money continued to arrive for the party in the wake of Colin Barnett's return to the top job, the party's colourful campaign launch and the latest political debate! While still the ruling favourite, Labor has eased out fractionally from $1.22 to $1.23!

Evans said the money is still steadily coming in! "After Labor took virtually all of the first $30,000.00, including two separate bets from Perth of $10,000.00 each, the actual bet nunmbers are running 9:1 the Liberal's way in the last 72 hours!

"It would take an enormous plunge to unseat Alan Carpenter's government as favourite, but for the first time the Liberals are at least starting to get into the contest," Evans said. "Already it's clear, Barnett replacing Troy Buswell has given the party an enormous boost in policy and social confidence, and Labor has taken a very big risk calling a snap September 6 election, well ahead of time! For the first time in a very long time time, it seems Alan Carpenter is now the leader feeling the heat!"

AUG 25, 2008

EAGLES SAVE THE WORST FOR LAST!

* After all the nightmares and pitfalls of a forgettable season, the West Coast Eagles have officially saved the worst for last!

Leading bookmaker Centrebet today opened the Eagles at $15.00 in the final round clash against short-priced premiership heavyweight Geelong - the longest head-to-head price of any club for any game all season!

"How fitting, the Demons have struggled at the foot all year, but the longest they opened was $14.00, so West Coast has that unwanted market crown," Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said.

"In fact, it's the biggest opening price West Coast has been since on-line sports betting became part of footballing households. Geelong - now a hot $1.45 fancy to make it back-to-back flags - are quoted at $1.01 against the Eagles!"

Evans said it's the first time in history a team has been 1/100 against a team 14/1 against at the commencement of betting!

* With the eight settled, the drive is on for top four positions - Collingwood opening $1.58 away to Fremantle ($2.35) at Subiaco, while free-falling Sydney is $1.45 at home against the Lions ($2.75)! And in what could prove the tightest betting match of the round, Adelaide has opened a narrow $1.83 favourite against the Bulldogs ($1.95).

* Both the in-form Kangaroos ($1.18) and St Kilda ($1.10) are very short quotes against shot opposition.

* In flag betting on Centrebet, heavily-backed Geelong continues to drive a never-been-seen-before wedge in the market. Hawthorn ($5.00) is the only other side in single figures, with the Western Bulldogs on the third line at $13.00. The struggling Swans have blown from $15.00 to $34.00 in a matter of weeks - now rated a smaller premiership chance than Adelaide!

AUG 25, 2008

48-HR SURGE FORCES CENTREBET TO SHORTEN LIBS INTO $4.00!

* The fightback from the embattled WA Liberal Party appears to be gathering momentum, according to leading election bookmaker Centrebet who have shortened the Opposition from $4.25 into $4.00 after a sustained 48-hour run of money!

Centrebet media chief and election analyst Neil Evans said nearly all of the last $10,000.00 in bets to arrive have been for the outsider Liberals! "We have taken scores of bets from small money right up to $1,000.00 at $4.25 several times," Evans said. "One punter from the heart of Perth had $500.00 on the Opposition, and then came back moments later and had another $500.00. Certainly, while Labor is still a short-priced favourite, the momentum has swung since Colin Barnett took back the Liberal leadership from the sinking Troy Buswell!"

Evans said Alan Carpenter's Labor government had eased from $1.18 out to $1.20 after the party had dominated the first $30,000.00 to be placed with Centrebet!

"There's no doubt the Liberals' very American-style campaign launch was a nice counter to Labor paranoia over the very early election call," Evans said. "Barnett's experience wins automatic respect around the electorates, and knowing there's little time to turn most voters around, they've opened up with glitz, glamour and some very strong words on law and order and education!"

"The betting shift does signify this election will be closer than what Labor strategists would have envisaged a month or two ago," Evans added! "We now wait to see if any major political money arrives for the Opposition. The best indicator for the party is that nearly all the money is coming from WA!"

Evans said the effect of the Labor launch will be telling, considering the poll is just 12 days away! Around $40,000.00 has been wagered on the September 6 WA election with Centrebet so far!

AUG 14, 2008

IS IT TANKING TIME AGAIN?

Centrebet's Neil Evans reports the "T" word is out in the AFL again, after a $25,000.00 bet by a Perth client on Melbourne at the opening price of $2.05 to beat West Coast ahead of this weekend's round 20 'cellar' clash!

"Not long after this bet, we got news the Eagles were resting Ashley Hansen and David Wirrapunda - and the word is they'll be putting a few others in cotton wool as well," Evans said. "The market then did a back-flip - the Demons into $1.85, with West Coast out to $1.97 from an initial $1.80 - and the talk started that winning this match would not be in West Coast's best interest when it comes to positioning themselves for next season"!

Evans said another near $10,000.00 has arrived for Melbourne overnight, including one bet of $2,000.00 from Melbourne, and word is travelling like even a Manchester client who's outlayed 1000 pounds at $1.85. Centrebet has now suspended head-to-head betting!

"Remember, the Eagles finish with percentage-breaking games against Geelong and Hawthorn, while the Demons have very winnable matches to finish against Port and Richmond," Evans added! "So last place and the gun draft picks could well hinge on this match!!"

* In other early betting moves, punters are predicting St Kilda will at least climb off the canvas and compete at Subiaco against the Dockers who will be without star forward recruit Chris Tarrant! Evans said nearly $10,000.00 in bets had arrived for the Saints, the biggest a professional wager of $5,000.00 at $1.91 with St Kilda getting 11.5 start at the Line! Several sizeable bets, including one of $2,000.00 at $1.23, have also been placed on hot favourite Hawthorn to beat Richmond ($4.35)!

AUGUST 8, 2008

$50,000.00 PERTH BET ON LABOR AS PUNTERS AMBUSH NT ELECTION MARKET ON CENTREBET!

* A Perth punter with leading election bookmaker Centrebet has ensured tomorrow's Northern Territory State election will be the most one-sided in betting terms in history after wagering $50,000.00 on the Labor government to retain power at the long odds-on price of $1.09!

Centrebet has since shortened Chief Minister Paul Henderson's party into a raging $1.07, with the embattled Country Liberal Opposition blowing like an ill north wind out to $8.00 (from $6.25) and still failing to attract a sizeable bet from anywhere around the country!

"In pure money terms, I've never seen anything like it," Centrebet media chief and political analyst Neil Evans said. "We're close to holding quarter of a million dollars ($250,000.00) on this election - and 99.5 per cent of that is for Labor. Normally, you get a little sway back the other way when the price gets juicy, but the CLP has attracted less than $1,000.00. It's rather embarrassing." Evans said. "In fact, it's a punting ambush. It seems we could put the Opposition out to any price, and the punters won't be swayed which shocks me because I don't see it being that one-sided. There'll have to be a full moon tonight, and some bizarre turnaround, for this to become a political contest! Paul Henderson will no doubt tell the media its going to be tight, but not according to the money - the most influential election barometer!"

The latest bet has come from a smart middle-aged female client from suburban Perth who was well prepared to put down 50k at the short price! "The interesting thing is this is the biggest interstate bet on the NT election by a mile. All the other big players have come from the heart of Darwin."

Evans said in the last two weeks, they've received a $100,000.00 stake from Darwin at $1.14, three $10,000.00 bets at $1.18 down to $1.14, and now the $50,000 interest at $1.09! "There's also been scores of bets from $20.00 up to $5,000.00 and we are pushing on $250,000.00 now - all for the Labor Party!

AUG 6, 2008

EARLY PUNTERS CHARGE INTO $1.60 ABOUT THE STORM!

* Punters have not warmed to the value about outsider Manly on Centrebet ahead of the NRL "Match of the Season" against premiership heavweight Melbourne at Brookvale Oval this Friday night!

Centrebet's media chief Neil Evans said the Sea Eagles opened a clear $2.30 outsider, but nearly all the early money has been for the Storm, even at the short quote of $1.60!

"That price is enough it seems," Evans said. "The first few thousand came in all for the Storm, either outright, a little bit at the - 4.0 Line at $1.91, and also several bets on Melbourne both at the under 12.5 option or 13 Plus on the margins. Coach Craig Bellamy knows his side can deliver the biggest physchological blow on the competition all season at Brookie, and the fact they'll be up against a screaming full-house it seems is no deterrent. Class wins already, according to the punters!"

AUG 4, 2008

Gold Coast punter’s $15,000.00 bet on Aussie medal flop!

A regular Centrebet punter from the Gold Coast has wagered $15,000.00 at $1.45 on Australia’s Beijing Games team falling short of the 17 gold medals won in Athens four years ago!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said this was the biggest bet in the “Aussie Gold” book, forcing the bookmaker to tighten the “16 or Less” option into $1.40! Nearly $25,000.00 has been wagered this way, compared with “peanuts” on Australia winning 17 golds (same as Athens) at $6.50 and 18 or more at $3.50!

“Punters have done their homework big time on the likely medal hauls, and if we weren’t convinced Australia would fall short of Athens, we are now,” Evans said. “Certainly, the loss of Jana Rawlinson, Nathan Deakes and Cadel Evans is a major blow, but outside of the swimming pool, our team looks horribly thin apart from a couple of major team medal hopes!”

Evans said punters were also convinced the overall medal haul of 49 from 2004 would not be reached, with most of the money on the $1.40 option! Centrebet has 12 to 15 gold medals as the $2.70 favourite, but the 8 to 11 option ($4.35) is the best backed, while equal favourites in the overall medal haul are 34 to 42 and 43 to 51 – both quoted at $3.25!

Host nation China remains a dominant $1.44 favourite to win the most gold, and a $1.70 fancy to secure the most medals.

Meanwhile, punters are warming to Aussie facebook queen Stephanie Rice in her 200m individual medley showdown with US star Kathryn Hoff. “We’ve taken nearly $1,000.00 on Rice at $1.90, and only a couple of hundred on Hoff at $2.30,” Evans said.

On the track, Centrebet has Australia’s Craig Mottram a $10.00 shot in the men’s 5000m behind two Ethiopians and a Kenyan on the $5.00 line, while Tamsyn Lewis is a rank $101.00 in the women’s 800m behind heavily-backed $1.18 Kenyan star Pamela Jelimo!

AUG 1, 2008

Sullivan $1.75 fav to beat Queen Stephanie in Pool of the Roses!

Australia’s great sprint hope Eamon Sullivan is $1.75 favourite to outgun former flame Stephanie Rice ($1.95) in the race for swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games!

Leading Olympic bookmaker Centrebet today released its “Will Gold Mend a Broken Heart?” market squaring off the former lovebirds!

“I think Eamon’s got the jump (not that kind) on Stephanie as far as gold medal claims go, but it might also be the sort of Games where very little separates the first few to the wall in most of the blue-ribbon events,” Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said.

Meanwhile, already heavily backed against by Centrebet punters, sprinting golden girl Lisbeth Trickett is still a $1.50 fancy to collect 3 or 4 gold medals in Beijing, while in an “Unders or Overs” market, distance king Grant Hackett is a $1.20 shot to win under 1.5 gold medals, meaning the 1500m will be his only brush with gold!

In other swimming specials, American dynamo Michael Phelps is tipped to fall one short of an unprecedented eight gold medals, while fellow US team member Kathryn Hoff is $1.70 to take home 3 or 4 golds!

BEIJING GAMES - SWIMMING SPECIALS

WILL GOLD MEND A BROKEN HEART? Who wins most gold!

$1.75 EAMON SULLIVAN (Aus) $1.95 STEPHANIE RICE (Aus)

TRICKETT or TRICKLE! Lisbeth Trickett’s Gold Medal Tally

$1.50 3 to 4 gold medals $3.00 2 gold medals or less $5.00 5 gold medals or more

CAN HE HACKETT? Grant Hackett’s Gold Medal Tally

$1.20 Under 1.5 gold medals $3.75 Over 1.5 gold medals

PHELPS ON FIRE! Michael Phelps’ Gold Medal Tally

$1.45 Under 7.5 Gold Medals $2.45 Over 7.5 Gold Medals

WILL HOFF GO OFF? – Kathryn Hoff’s Gold Medal Tally

$1.70 3 to 4 gold medals $2.00 2 gold medals or less $9.00 5 gold medals or less

LAST-DITCH MONEY POURS ON TO ALL BLACKS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE DITCH!

* A Christchurch punter has outlayed nearly $20,000.00 with Australian bookmaker Centrebet on the All Blacks at $1.53 to avenge their loss to the Wallabies tomorrow night at Eden Park!

Centrebet's media chief Neil Evans said an incredible surge of money had arrived for New Zealand in the last 12 hours - and the home side has firmed from $1.53 into $1.51! The Wallabies have eased from $2.50 out to $2.55! Nearly 500 individual bets have been made, with the All Blacks dominating by three to one (3:1).

There has also been a $10,000.00 stake from a long-standing Auckland punter, and near $10,000.00 bet placed by a Melbourne punter on the All Blacks both at $1.53, amid a near $60,000.00 in wagers from both sides of the Tasman on the home side!

"Surely the match can't be that one-sided, but punters simply believe it's life or death as far as the All Blacks fighting back," Evans said. "Put it this way, if New Zealand goes under for the first time at Eden Park in 22 years to Australia, coach Graham Henry may as well migrate to Venus - and take a few with him!"

The All Blacks by under 12.5 points is easily the best margin option, attracting several thousand in bets, while a Dublin client with Centrebet believes it will be a low-scoring Test, outlaying nearly 2000 Euros on the Game Score being UNDER 38.5 points!

JULY 30, 2008

PUNTERS PREPARE TO BET ON MONEY BILL SQUILLIONS!

"SBW $1.35 FAV TO BE AN ALL BLACK AT WORLD CUP 2011"!

* Runaway Rugby League star Sonny Bill Williams is $1.35 with Centrebet to play in the next Rugby World Cup for the All Blacks, but the first bet - nearly $500.00 - arrived from Wellington this morning backing NO!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said punters could take $3.00 French rugby renegade-in-waiting SBW doesn't make it to the embattled NZ squad for the next World Cup in 2011, but he expects the "Yes" bet to firm in over time, despite the early interest the other way!

"Once SBW gets through this legal mess with the Bulldogs in the NRL - and it may take some sort of rugby "sugar daddy" to compensate in full the contractual debt left behind by Money Bill Squillions in Sydney, he will surely set his sights on being the great All Blacks saviour," Evans said!

"We expect the market to be of major interest to punters because this walk-out by SBW could fuel the biggest story in rugby league since the Super League fiasco, not to mention the dynamite effect he could have on the field in Rugby Union!"

Evans said he had learnt SBW transferred all his money from a Sydney bank to a London bank a couple of days before he planned to fly to Paris via the UK to begin talks with French rugby!

WILL SBW PLAY FOR THE ALL BLACKS AT THE 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP?

$1.35 YES $3.00 NO

* Meanwhile, the embattled All Blacks have blown to a somewhat embarrassing $3.50 to win the Tri Nations after opening up a hot odds-on favourite! "The loss at home to the Springboks and then the collapse to the Wallabies on Saturday night has seen their price blow like an ill trans-Tasman wind, and punters who took the good odds about either Sth Africa or Australia will be on good terms with themselves," Evans said.

Evans said the Springboks had been the best backed nation so far to win the Tri Nations!

JULY 29, 2008

4 x 100 bound for gold, but punters tipping trouble for Trickett!

Swedish punters with leading Beijing Games bookmaker Centrebet have plunged into a little-known Dutch swimmer to upset Australia’s golden girl Libby Trickett in the final of the women’s 50m freestyle at the Beijing Olympic Games!

Centrebet media chief Neil Evans said the equivalent of nearly $5,000.00 AUD in SEK currency had arrived for the Netherlands’ Marleen Veldhuis from $5.50 down. She is now quoted at $4.25 to take the gold medal, with one punter outlaying the equivalent of $2,000.00! Under-pressure Trickett remains the easing $1.50 favourite!

Trickett has also drifted from $1.33 to $1.42 in the 100m freestyle, after African-born Brisbane schoolgirl Cate Campbell was backed from $5.50 into $5.00, including a near $1,000.00 stake from Sydney’s east!

What isn’t in doubt – according to Olympic punters – is Australia’s women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay team taking gold! Evans said. “Nearly $10,000.00 – from both Europe and Australia - has been bet on the team, including one wager of $5,000.00 at $1.85 from a Perth man. We’ve shortened Australia into $1.75 to take gold!”

And while not in supreme condition, Grant Hackett has been exclusively backed to win the men’s 1500m gold, firming from $1.85 into $1.70, with nearly $10,000.00 staked. “They’ve backed him from everywhere, and while I don’t think he’s in vintage form, he won’t have to be to beat this lot,” Evans said.

And is there a changing of the guard for Australian men’s swimming in the 100m? A “tough-rated” London punter will win nearly $10,000.00 AUD if little-known Sydneysider Matt Targett steals gold in the 100m freestyle! He backed him at $81.00, and Centrebet has now trimmed Targett to $67.00! Aussie number one Eamon Sullivan remains a $2.35 second-elect behind $2.30 French favourite Alain Bernard.

* Punters from Australia and Scandinavian countries have also rallied behind Jamaican flyer Usain Bolt to claim gold in the men’s 100m on the track after mounting injury concerns surrounding his chief rival American Tyson Gay! Evans said nearly $10,000.00 in wagers had arrived for Bolt who has firmed from $2.75 to clear $2.40 favourite, with Gay out to $2.75!

* And punters cannot separate Australia and Germany in the battle for the men’s hockey gold medal! “We have nearly $1,000.00 on each at $3.75 to take gold, and not a nickel on any other country,” Evans said. “I expect Australia, though, to eventually command favouritism!”

* Meanwhile, China PR continues to tumble in the chase for gold medals! Evans said bets of $3,000.00 from Darwin and $5,000.00 from Sydney’s south, as well as scores of smaller ones, has seen its price shorten from $1.50 into $1.44, with $20,000.00 now invested on the host nation. Australia is now $1.45 to secure 16 gold medals or less than the haul from Athens four years ago, and an even shorter $1.40 to hit 48 or fewer total medals compared with 2004!

JULY 28, 2008

The moment we knew SBW was heading out!

At 4.39pm on Friday, ‘smart’ punters from Sydney’s south starting wagering on the Bulldogs to land the NRL “Wooden Spoon” – and the whisper that Sonny Bill Williams’ future at the club was on skid row became a roar!

Centrebet media director Neil Evans said he was in the middle of interviews ahead of the Geelong-Hawthorn AFL blockbuster when the call came that a “connected” NRL punter had staked $10,000.00 on the Bulldogs at $6.00 to finish last!

“There were a string of other Wooden Spoon bets on the Bulldogs, mainly for $2,000.00 each on the club running last – and straight away we knew SBW would not be playing against the Dragons (tonight) – but the sudden interest from “tough-rated” punters - all in a matter of minutes – smacked of a season-ending drama, not just one game,” Evans said.