SELECTIONS - 31 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Echuca 3-4 Electric Puha
Echuca 7-4 Nine Wives
Hobart 1-1 Cold Turkey
Hobart 5-2 Triabunna
Mt Barker 2-4 Soleil Fille
Mt Barker 3-3 My Leo
Scone 2-11 Eastwest Harmony
Scone 6-4 Jest The Shot

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Nil

(* I'll do an update after further info comes through but the Taswegians are off to an early start today and there's a selection so posting earlier than normal *)

Today: A bunch of selections to finish off the year. Let's hope they've had a nice Christmas and are ready to perform today. Commenting on a few of them - Hobart 1-1 Cold Turkey comes from the 3 horse field system I mentioned recently that goes really well even when they're all first starters, as is the case today. The two selections at Scone come from a really good system that's trotting along at 50%+ strike rate at 50%+ POT.

Yesterday: Another unlucky POOMA day with Misty Donna never getting a clear crack at them until way too late. Husson Lightning won nicely and even though the fillies ran faster time I think he has more class than them and is a better chance in the Magic Millions. Leurr Charno gave a big sight at $8 before running 2nd at Terang. He would have been a handy result for the POOMAs. I managed to get the $18K Gawler quaddie for a half. Was pretty happy when Bravewood, with form reading 00000, lobbed in the first leg at $50.

SELECTIONS - 30 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Moonee Valley 2-3 Aadelaidee
Pinjarra 7-3 Misty Donna
Rosehill 1-1 Husson Lightning
Terang 6-4 Leurr Charno

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Pinjarra 6-5
Rosehill 3-1
Terang 8-7

Today: POOMAs today come from some of the weaker systems but they do look to have strong chances. MV 2-3 Adelaidee goes fast and I think the danger in that race is Starbird. I'm prepared to go against Kaphero, as he hasn't shown enough for too long. Amberino will need to improve given she just got home against Anhinga last time and that horse was soundly beaten in a weak race yesterday. Pinjarra 7-3 Misty Donna is first up in a suitable race and if she starts better than $3 then that will be good value. Rosehill 1-1 Husson Lightning has to carry 59kg but that's only 4kg over the limit and he should be too good for this field. Terang 6-4 Leurr Charno is really very well placed and should be in the finish at e/w odds.

Yesterday: Our selection, Me Here, ran poorly yesterday at Coffs Harbour as favourite never really looking like threatening after settling just off the pace. Gee, that Anhinga is a weak animal. She was well beaten as a $1.60 shot in a poor race.

SELECTIONS - 29 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Coffs Harbour 3-6 Me Here

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Toowoomba 7-2

Today: Today's POOMA comes from a 50%+ system that averages about one selection per week. Coffs Harbour 3-6 Me Here is the only 2YO in the Maiden race for 2&3YOs. He ran 2nd at his first start in good time in an open age Maiden before running into a pretty hot field at Wyong in the $100K race won by Illuminates with Keiki 2nd. He finished only 5.9L from the winner and about 4.5L from the runner up, which has then gone on and run 2nd behind the smart Danehill Smile in the Listed Canonbury Stks last Saturday. From his good draw you'd think he'd be a big chance and I rate him a $2.50 shot.

Yesterday: Nothing to report. As suggested it was a good day to watch the Aussies flog the Poms at the MCG. Before the series started the favourite result for the series was Australia 4-0 but there was also heavy backing for 5-0 so you'd have to think that the sports bookies have copped a bit of a flogging already and it can only get worse.

SELECTIONS - 28 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Townsville 6-6

Today: Today's non-POOMA comes from a system that's got a 23/54 (43%) record since going live but it has a very slim profit so isn't a POOMA system. It's actually due for a profit recovery. Frisco's Rose has been running around in stronger races down in SE Qld and even though she hasn't won for a while leading trainer Oliver Cairns wouldn't take her if she was no good. That's a pretty tough race and I'd be wary of Windane Do, which looks pretty well placed. A couple of others up there that might be a chance today are 5-3 Slick Score and 7-6 Mikdar. Looks like a good day to watch the cricket.

Yesterday: 1 from 4 yesterday and a couple of placings for a 0.5 unit profit.

SELECTIONS - 27 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Geraldton 6-1 Honest Record
Ipswich 6-1 World Bank
Wagga 3-5 Chasconi
Wagga 6-1 Volts

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Geraldton 5-3

Today: Ipswich 6-1 World Bank ran an OK race last time and is in a pretty weak race today. Wagga 3-5 Chasconi will benefit from having a senior jockey, Peter Robl, back on board after his last start effort when he was a beaten favourite at this track last time in a non-TAB event. 6-1 Volts started odds on and won convincingly first up over 1200m in good time nearly three weeks ago. He gets home hard so the step up to 1400m is right up his alley and the drop in weight will also help his chances not to mention his good draw. Geraldton 6-1 Honest Record comes from a system that has been very consistent and has a strike rate of 40%+. However, the horse won his first race for ages last time and jumps in weight here so he's got a few things against him. I'll support the stats and stick him in.

Yesterday: None of the three POOMAs could get home yesterday and the one that I thought was the best bet of the day, Sunset Marquis at Geelong, started $2.50, ran up to win but couldn't get past the leader and eventual winner, Mellocello, which snuck home by a head in a time that was below average so you'd have to think that most of the runners in the field don't have much of a future.

SELECTIONS - 26 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ascot 3-1 Ravinia
Eagle Farm 8-5 Wings Of Seraph
Geelong 6-14 Sunset Marquis

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Ascot 5-3, 6-3
Caulfield 1-5, 2-10, 3-1
Cheltenham 6-1
Newcastle 5-3
Randwick 3-3

Today: Ascot 3-1 Ravinia backs up from running 2nd on Saturday so has obviously taken no harm from that run. Eagle Farm 8-5 Wings Of Seraph has drawn off the track again but he's a get back horse anyway so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Geelong 6-14 Sunset Marquis looks like the best bet of the day.

Yesterday: 2 from 3 on Sunday returning a 1.7 unit profit. Boomerang won pretty well at Mudgee and he can win again up there in a higher grade. At the Sunshine Coast, 2-6 Maido Osaki Ni ran well but was no match for the first starter that obviously has a fair bit of talent. 6-1 Cap Riviera stepped up in trip to a mile and really thrashed what was admittedly a poor field but he showed a terrific turn of foot and can probably win in town in midweek company. He can also step up in trip again.

SELECTIONS - 24 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Mudgee 3-1 Boomerang
Sunshine Coast 2-1 Maido Osaki Ni
Sunshine Coast 6-1 Cap Riviera

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Devonport 7-5
Mudgee 8-5
Pinjarra 6-8

Today: Today's POOMA comes from the seriously over performing one mentioned over the last couple of days that's trotting along at 63% strike rate compared to the 43% expected so it really is going to fall on its head at some point. Boomerang won comfortably at Narromine last Monday when he was picked by a POOMA system but I didn't nominate him because Narromine is a goat track. What are the odds that he gets done today when he's a POOMA? Devenport 7-5 Reunification comes from a newish system that has started well and it would be a surprise to see her beaten. At the Sunshine Coast, 2-6 Maido Osaki Ni should go better than last start when she bombed the start and 6-1 Cap Riviera won his Maiden well and the step to a mile looks right up his alley.

Yesterday: Gah, stuff! How unlucky was Innings? He cops the sidewash from Element, which had lost its radar and turned left smashing into Crown Town. The interference meant Innings lost his momentum when he looked likely to win and just failed to run 2nd, which would have promoted him to first after the protest. Talking of which, what does Chris Munce say to defend himself on Element? Otherwise, we were 1/5 returning $3.40.

SELECTIONS - 23 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ascot 4-2 Ravinia
Cheltenham 1-1 Soowee
Cheltenham 5-3 Bold Line
Colac 7-2 Cool World
Randwick 8-2 Innings

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Gold Coast 2-1
Kembla Grange 6-1
Randwick 2-1
Sandown 4-2

(* Updates at Ascot, if any, before the first race there *)

Today: A good week so far with 10/15 selections (POOMA+non) getting home for a return of $35. Let's hope it continues today. At Ascot, 4-2 Ravinia was too good for Dante's Lady last time and even though there's a 1.5kg weight turnaround I expect her to be too good again. Cheltenham 1-1 Soowee won well last time when beating a well backed horse. He's up against a couple of Hayes' first starters, which means we'll probably get a pretty good price about a horse that will set the pace. 5-3 Bold Line is perfectly graded in this race. He led them up in the race won by Royal Ida and was only beaten 2L when finishing 7th. This is a weaker race and he should go close even though he will carry the top weight after the claims. Colac 7-2 Cool World comes from the 60%+ s/r system mentioned yesterday. He stepped up to 1600m for the first time and got home narrowly. He'll be improved with the run under his belt at the trip and this isn't an overly strong race. Randwick 8-2 Innings is bursting to win a race and drops in grade here, which will help his chances. He's drawn wide but will get back and run on anyway. He hasn't got a spectacular record, winning just 2 of his 15 starts with 8 placings but has a 3-1-2 record at the track and 4-1-3 record at the trip so you know he'll be there at the end with even luck. A couple of runners from the black book today starting with Colac 8-5 Bob'n'hop, which is a dual winner as a POOMA. He ran in one of those new Restricted races last time that throw up seemingly random winners and is very well placed in this race. Kembla Grange 6-3 Spinnrad settled back and wide at Warwick Farm last time, was under hard riding 600m out to make ground, picked up the bit before the corner and was coming into the race when he hit a slippery patch, lost his footing and nearly fell at which point Glen Boss eased him out of the race. The step up in trip will suit and he might be good odds today.

Yesterday: 3 from 5 yesterday with a 0.7 unit profit due to the winners all being short - $1.40, $1.90 and $2.40 - but they were never in much danger. They've sent search parties out for the other two selections, which ran well below expectations. I had a nervous half hour waiting for the MV protest result to come through, as I had the $9K quaddie with the winner but didn't have the runner up. Given that the 3rd horse, which lodged the objection, just about fell over when it clipped the heels of the winner I thought that there might be some chance of it being upheld. I was surprised by the $16 about the third leg winner, Sagwala, as it had been running around in much stronger races and it helped the quaddie quite a bit.

SELECTIONS - 22 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Lismore 4-4 Unfair
Mackay 1-1 Happy Spot
Mackay 2-1 Strath Valley
Mackay 6-9 My Corvett
Moonee Valley 2-4 Gone Critical

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Nil

(* Any updates for MV after info comes through there *)

Today: Apart from Gone Critical at MV, today's POOMAs all come from a system with a 60%+ live strike rate that normally only has a couple of selections per week. That strike rate is miles higher than the 44% expected so there will be a correction at some point and I'm being a little bit careful backing these ones at present.

Yesterday: The POOMA, Only He Knows, got home in the last at Canterbury at a short $1.50 though the win didn't really match the hype and I'd be a little bit careful about taking a short price at his next start, especially as he'll be up in grade. Darren Beadman rode 5 of the 7 winners last night but really rode a poor race on Pluto Pup when finishing 3rd. That said, the horse is getting a reputation as a bit of a costly conveyance, which is due to its get back style.

SELECTIONS - 21 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Canterbury 7-4 Only He Knows

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Kyneton 8-1

Today: One POOMA today from Canterbury, which I wouldn't normally include but the horse looks good and the system it came from has a terrific strike rate at the track and the slow track shouldn't be a problem. At Kyneton, 6-5 Pedro's Spectrum comes off, of all things, a win at the Moulamai picnics, which he won by from here to over the road as a $1.40 favourite. That was an exhibition gallop for him and he has enough good form in OK races to be a threat today. In race 7 there Lazer Sharp steps off his emphatic Maiden win into a Class 1 race in which he also steps up in distance. He looks a likely type and this doesn't look like a very hard race to win. 8-1 Cape Danger comes from a normal POOMA system but I'm being careful with these new ratings based races where the horses down in the weights seem to have an advantage. Back to Canterbury and another from the black book is last start beaten favourite, Pluto Pup, who was outstanding two starts back when he steamed home from back in the field before being ridden a bit quietly last time, which left him no time to peg back the winner (who looks smart also). Beadman is on board and he'll be flying late at around the $5 mark. The only query is whether he can handle the wet track.

Yesterday: The POOMA got home in the three horse field, which was a good start to the day and that was followed up by the win of Bound To at Ipswich in race 7 at $13-$17. I stood it out in a quaddie there and missed the 2nd leg, which was particularly annoying, as one doesn't successfully stand out horses at double figure odds very often.

SELECTIONS - 20 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Werribee 1-5 Spring Drinks

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Ipswich 7-3
Werribee 3-2, 4-1
Wyong 6-3

Today: Today's POOMA comes from a system I built for fun based on three horse fields. Obviously, there aren't many three horse races to base my analysis on (204 races since 1/1/2000) but it continues to perform since going live and, amazingly, first starters have a terrific record. I suggested yesterday that you keep your money for today however it's not much of a day so I reckon you should spend it on Christmas presents.

Yesterday: Nothing to report.

SELECTIONS - 19 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Rockhampton 1-1
Wangaratta 1-1

Today: I'm driving to Canberra today and leaving early in the morning so I won't be able to list tips etc until after about 2PM though I'm not sure there's going to be anything worth following once I've got scratchings etc. (* Update *) A nice drive to Canberra. The smoke haze from about 100km before Albury is really thick and there are signs telling motorists to drive with their headlights on. The update hasn't produced anything other than Wangaratta 1-1, which went down so that's good. Save your money for tomorrow.

Yesterday: Heh, I decide not to POOMA the two selections from one of my top 3 systems at Narromine because it's a goat track and they both lob at $2.50 and $4.10 (NSW). I will admit that I took an all up with the two horses on SuperTAB, which returned $13.78 for each $1 so that was handy. The money pit at Pakenham took exception to that moniker and let the other non-POOMA get home, which was handy as I had a bet in the race getting a bunch of quinellas, the First4 and win dividend. It was my old man's birthday yesterday and he would have been 80 if he hadn't passed away a couple of months ago. He must have been looking out for us.

SELECTIONS - 18 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Narromine 4-1, 6-4
Pakenham 8-1

Today: Meetings at the Pakenham money pit and Narromine goat track so no POOMAs today. If you haven't seen it then it's worth having a look at the layout of the Narromine track. It's shaped like a square with rounded corners and consequently favours on pace runners. And do you know where Narromine is? It's half way to Buggery. How do I calculate that? Well, it's a given that Broken Hill is Buggery (ask anyone who lives there). Pick a point on the eastern seaboard, say Newcastle, and draw a line straight to Broken Hill. The mid point is Narromine, thus half way to Buggery. I have a spectacularly bad record at picking winners there so I'm not going to mark the two Narromine selections in spite of the fact that they come from a system with a 50%+ strike rate. You're on your own at Pakenham. The only good thing one can say about today's meeting is that there aren't any of those bastard ratings-based races that are impossible to pick.

Yesterday: Our POOMA got home yesterday paying a handy $5. I did notice one performance worth following, which was the win of Sleepy Jackson in the first at the Sunshine Coast. Shane Scriven never really got into it and he cruised away to win by a space in an exhibition gallop. The ones behind were probably no good but he looked a likely type regardless.

SELECTIONS - 17 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ballart 4-13 Midnight Flight

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Ballarat 7-4, 8-5
Bunbury 2-2
Hawkesbury 4-8, 6-5
Sunshine Coast 3-13, 4-8, 4-11
Taree 3-4, 7-3
Tatura 1-1

(* Updates after Bunbury scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: The POOMA comes from a system with a 50%+ strike rate. Coming off a country run into a Provincial race is not generally ideal but this system keeps on keeping on so what do I know? Nothing else really grabs my fancy today what with the wet tracks and poor races.

Yesterday: 2/8 yesterday for a 3.8 unit loss but I'm still crying buckets over the defeat of Rubiscent at Sandown, which copped a huge check at the 400m when squeezed out between runners before getting to the outside and flashing into 2nd spot as a $9 shot. Not only did it cost me the quaddie but also the First4, as the roughie that won, Test Fire, is a horse I've been following lately (and he was a winning POOMA two starts back). That must have cost me $10K easily.

SELECTIONS - 16 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ascot 2-13 Scuffs
Ascot 4-7 Zabba Doo
Gold Coast 8-1 Teletor
Rosehill 1-7 Cajou
Rosehill 2-1 Sniper's Bullet
Rosehill 5-8 Bimutualconsent
Sandown 1-2 Incumbent
Sandown 6-15 Rubiscent

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Ascot 1-8
Newcastle 6-4, 7-2
Sandown 2-1, 3-2

(* Updates after Ascot scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: A few wet tracks today, which means that we need to tread particularly warily. Ascot 2-13 Scuffs was well backed at her first run when leading and running 2nd before crunching them at Pinjarra. Has the good draw and Pike on board and will race on the pace so should give us a good sight. 4-7 Zabba Doo has been busting to win a race for us and keeps leading and getting caught near the line. He steps up in trip today, which will give us better odds as he tries to win his first race at Ascot from 15 goes (with 10 placings!). Gold Coast 8-1 Teletor may only have a 1/15 record but looks particularly well placed today on the strength of his last two runs in which he's got home hard from the rear of the field. The step up in trip will suit and I'll be taking him blanc in the quaddies there. Rosehill 1-7 Cajou has been a beaten favourite at both of his runs. The change of rider to Darren Beadman should be enough to see him home and the betting competition from Ayres and Saffir Simpson will get us a longer price. If you saw the win of 2-1 Sniper's Bullet then you'll be interested to see how he goes today, as he looks a potential black type sprinter. In that run he was slowly away, turned into the straight some 7-8L from the leader and picked them up in a twinkling to win running away in fast time. The last 600m in that race was 33.98 so who knows what he ran but it was obviously pretty slick. 5-8 Bimutualconsent only won a Wagga Class 2 last time and her win was similar to Sniper Bullet's in that she was back and wide into the straight, pounced on the lead from nowhere and coasted to the post nearly 4L clear in a performance that demonstrates she has above average ability. She was listed at $9 this morning but I'll make a prediction that she'll start near favourite. Sandown 6-15 Rubiscent is in a strong race but is really a horse on the up, as demonstrated by his last start easy win. He drops in weight 4.5kg, will sit within a few lengths of the leader, Lancettier, and have his chance to win.

Yesterday: Nothing to report from yesterday apart from the fact that there were quite a few long priced winners, as predicted.

SELECTIONS - 15 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Darwin 2-1
Ipswich 2-7, 8-3
Moonee Valley 3-3
Mornington 7-4
Nowra 1-1, 3-3

Today: What a pain in the arse day with meetings starting early, middling, late and really late in the day. That makes doing the selections much harder, as I need scratchings, riding change information etc to come through. If there are any updates then I'll post them before race 1 at the affected meeting. I reckon they'll win without names today so caution is the order of the day. A couple that might go OK at Randwick are 5-11 Texarcana, which steps up to a more suitable trip and didn't have much luck last time, and 7-6 Next Adventure, which is in good form (look out for the other Griffith runner in that race, Annjolino, as well).

Yesterday: I have seen some terrific value on race courses in my time but not for a little while have I seen such good value as the $3 dividend for Crafty King when he won race 7 at Townsville. Here's a horse that's won 3/4 at the track and 10/19 at the trip that first up last time ran 2nd to the flying machine, Captain Wheland, who ironically the race was named after. That horse would have started $1.20 in yesterday's field. Somehow or other Hellenic Warrior started favourite and ran a good race for 2nd but the topweight sat outside him, always had him covered and won softly. Only 1/3 for the POOMAs returning just $1.90 with the win of Hotelier.

SELECTIONS - 14 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Geraldton 6-1 Halo Song
Townsville 4-8 Dangerous Knight
Townsville 6-3 Hotelier

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Nil

(* Updates after Geraldton scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: Townsville 4-8 Dangerous Knight ran well for 3rd two starts back behind Mullett who he meets again here and then won well at Rockhampton. He's consistent without having a terrific strike rate but should be a chance at odds. There's a bit of a roughie that might have a chance today. Wagga 1-12 Show Your Colours hasn't got much of a record but his last two runs have been better than they look on paper. He's drawn 14 of 14 each time finishing 2.6L behind them two starts back and 6.7L last start when he sat deep all the way, ran up to threaten the lead but weakened late. If he gets a half decent run today he could be in the finish.

Yesterday: Only 1 from 4 yesterday returning a skinny $1.30 and that was from the dominant win of Lucky Secret, which smashed them again in fast time. He's by Rubiton and might be the next Rubitano, a really top class galloper. Rossi Bessi obviously needs to lead to be a chance and was weak at the end of the race. Straddle was also very disappointing in the last race. At Doomben, Native Wolf was very well backed before being snagged back to the rear from his wide gate and then not making any ground in the straight in a race where the last 600m was run in 33.5 so there's not much chance to win if you're 10L off the lead on the corner.

SELECTIONS - 13 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Caulfield 1-2 Lucky Secret
Caulfield 2-2 Rossi Bessi
Caulfield 7-7 Straddle
Doomben 8-3 Native Wolf

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Nil

(* Any updates after Pinjarra scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: If you saw the win of 1-2 Lucky Secret at his first start then you'd want to back up today. First away from the middle of the line over 1000m at MV in a field of 11, he was quickly in front and travelling well. Brereton gave him a bit more rein before the corner and he skipped three in front at which point Brereton basically sat up on the horse, letting him coast to the line four lengths clear in fast time. Was one of those performances that announces the arrival of a top class horse. 2-2 Rossi Bessi was a POOMA and got caught in the last hop at her last run on a day where that was the norm for the POOMAs. She'll bounce to the lead again and be stronger this time around however I won't want to back her at less than $3. 7-7 Straddle is very well placed in the last leg of the quaddie after his narrow defeat last time at Sandown. Up at Doomben 8-3 Native Wolf caught the eye when winning first up at Coffs Harbour. He got well back from his inside draw, came to the outside, ran around like a duck but arrived in time to get the big end of the cheque. He's drawn wide but will get back anyway and he looks like a good chance in an open race.

Yesterday: No POOMAs yesterday and nothing worth noting.

SELECTIONS - 12 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Kilmore 5-9, 6-2, 7-7, 8-12
Tamworth 5-2

(* Updates after Mt Barker scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: Three pretty uninspiring meetings today at Tamworth, Mt Barker and Kilmore. Can't see anything worth commenting on and suggest you keep your wallet zipped up today unless there's something you really fancy. I'll analyse the quaddies, like I always do, but can't see anything at the moment.

Yesterday: 2 from 3 yesterday for $6.60 return. Winonalass got things off to a good start by getting the soft run she needed before scoring at $2.80. Alexander Beetle went out at $3.80, which I thought was amazing odds and he duly led all the way, as predicted, and helped me snare the $8K Terang quaddie as I took him one out. Run Barry Run then proved that he really is shite when he couldn't even run a place in a six horse race. He is barred forever. I forgot to mention Lazer Sharp yesterday, as he'd gone into my black book after his last run when he was blocked for a run nearly all of the way up the straight, got clear about 50m out and powered into 2nd. He was heavily supported into $2 and raced away for an easy win. The day would have been even better if Run Barry Run had actually lobbed, as I had a four horse all up Winonalass-Lazer Sharp-Alexander's Beetle-Run Barry Run that would have returned over $4K for $50. The quaddie would have paid less but I had it for $4 with Run Barry Run so that would have still been the best result. Crap animal. What was I thinking?

SELECTIONS - 11 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Terang 3-10 Winonalass
Terang 6-1 Alexander Beetle
Terang 8-2 Run Barry Run

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Nil

Today: Meetings only at Queanbeyan and Terang where today's POOMAs run. 3-10 Winonalass comes from a system with a 50%+ strike rate but doesn't have the sort of form that is normally picked by that system even though she looks to have claims in a weak field. At her first run she drew 14 of 14 at Warrnambool, settled near the rear an ran on in good style over 1100m. Stepped up to 1400m at her next start she was ridden outside the leader, went too hard and weakened into 5th. She'll need to get a softer run today. 6-1 Alexander Beetle took off like an Exocet missile from a wide gate last time and was two lengths clear after only 100m. He kept going at a strong pace and was only caught late even though the winner's margin was a length. He should give a great sight and comes from the same 50%+ system as Winonalass. 8-2 Run Barry Run jumped from winning a Cl2 into Cl4 company at Hamilton last time, sat outside the leader and was a little bit disappointing in finishing 5th although he wasn't far away. There's a fair bit of pace in this race with Nuclear Roo, Linconi and La Reef so he might be able to position 4th and run into the race at the 200m.

Yesterday: 5 from 10 yesterday returning $16.50 so that was handy and gave us a winning weekend. The best result came when Illuminates won the Slipper at Wyong at a terrific $6.40 in a race that saw two of the first starters backed to beat him.

SELECTIONS - 10 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Bunbury 5-8 Djeddah Sting
Launceston 6-9 Reunification
Port Lincoln 5-3 Storm The Beach
Port Lincoln 7-7 Naloora Belle
Seymour 1-1 African Gold
Seymour 2-8 Questrian
Seymour 5-11 La Chasseuse
Seymour 8-2 Bright Encounter
Wyong 5-8 Illuminates
Wyong 6-12 Rosa's Spur

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Bunbury 4-4
Port Lincoln 8-5
Sunshine Coast 7-9
Traralgon 4-1
Wyong 7-5

(* Updates after Bunbury information comes through, if any *)

Today: Well, we're either going to have a really good day or get properly beaten up given how many selections have been generated by the winning systems.

Yesterday: A bunch of 2nds cost us yesterday. Zabba Doo got caught in the last couple of hops at $10 and Ulysses, Tuleries and O'Crikey all found one better, as well. General Ralph weakened late for 4th and Real Mak looked a real chance 200m out but couldn't quite find the line in the race won by the up and coming Marasco. Zipanese and Last Shogun did the right thing for us but we lost 1.9 units on the day.

SELECTIONS - 9 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ascot 2-13 Zabba Doo
Ascot 8-15 Real Mak
Caulfield 1-7 Zipanese
Caulfield 4-4 General Ralph
Caulfield 7-2 Ulysses
Kembla Grange 1-1 Tuileries
Rosehill 1-1 O'Crikey
Stawell 2-2 Last Shogun

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Armidale 6-4
Caulfield 4-3
Cheltenham 3-1
Doomben 3-11
Gold Coast 5-1
Kembla Grange 7-2
Rosehill 4-9
Stawell 6-3, 8-3

(* I'll post an update if there are any selection changes at Ascot after scratchings and rider updates etc come through there *)

Today: Man, oh, man there are a lot of selections today. All of my good systems have decided to throw up multiple picks each so let's hope their timing is right. That said, they do all look to have terrific chances. At Caulfield, 1-7 Zipanese sneaks into this race in good Adelaide form and on the limit weight. She's lightly raced and it looks like she's beaten the handicapper. 4-4 General Ralph was battered from pillar to post last time, which affected his performance. He's a talented horse and comes from a nice system. 7-2 Ulysses has about a million classes on these. The concern is that his form on wet tracks is astonishingly bad. However, it's going to be so hot out there that I'd be amazed if there's not a track upgrade. There's one from our black book running around at Kembla Grange. 3-3 Pluto Pup's first up win in Class 1 company (as a maiden horse) was unbelievable. My note at the time was that he looked like a potential top liner. That might be a bit over the top but it demonstrates what I thought of the effort. I reckon it's a good day to have a go. If the selections underperform then you'll know I've copped a hammering!

Yesterday: Stuff a duck. We were unlucky yesterday, I thought to only finish with 2 from 6 and a slight loss. Typical of the selections at the moment that they pick the first horse (Ebor) that I can remember being disqualified all year.

SELECTIONS - 8 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Moonee Valley 2-1 Ebor
Moonee Valley 5-7 Pietro Vannucci
Mudgee 1-6 Kirei
Mudgee 4-2 Boomerang
Rockhampton 2-1 King Hunter
Rockhampton 6-1 Danzamonkey

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Darwin 1-1, 2-1
Mudgee 8-2
Rockhampton 3-7, 4-6

(* Updates after Moonee Valley scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: I like betting up in Far North Queensland, as the form lines are always pretty solid. Rockhampton 2-1 King Hunter looks like he'll notch up another win but I'll want $1.80 to have a go, as Town Player is no slouch as shown by his 10 wins from 20 starts at the track. Amazingly, he's only won once from 32 goes at other tracks. 6-1 Danzamonkey is bursting to win a race and even though he's drawn a tad deep here he'll press forward to race outside the leader and will get his chance. I've been to Mudgee, which is way to buggery from everywhere, and it's a nice little town that does a nice fortified red wine. 1-6 Kirei was narrowly beaten at Parkes as 13/8 favourite and wouldn't have to improve much to win today. 4-2 Boomerang is very well placed and if we can get somewhere around $2.80 then that will be good value. The Moonee Valley night meeting throws up 2-1 Ebor. Like most of the 'Rogerson' trained horses he found the front early, was taken on all of the way at a fair clip, kicked away in the straight and just held on to win. Given that MV has been playing to front runners over recent weeks he should get a perfect run on the pace and be too strong. In that race Shifty Lad also races forward and from the inside gate should be a place chance. 5-7 Pietro Vannucci is in good form and has been unlucky at his last couple of runs. Allenby's Mate looks the clear leader after his last start all the way win here a couple of weeks ago and Pietro Vannucci should get a good run in the race from his ideal draw. It's an even field, though, so I'll try and get e/w odds about this one.

Yesterday: Pedas Sakali is still looking for a run over at Pinjarra. He went up the straight behind a wall of horses and crossed the line with a lot still to offer. Triple Down at Canterbury ran OK for 2nd and fought back after the winner put a bit of a gap on him. Otherwise there wasn't much to report.

SELECTIONS - 7 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Canterbury 4-1 Triple Down
Pinjarra 6-4 Pedas Sakali

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Ballarat 1-1, 9-11
Ipswich 5-4
Pinjarra 2-3, 7-13

(* Updates after Pinjarra scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: It's my dear, old Mum's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Mum. The POOMA, Canterbury 4-1 Triple Down, ran well in a strong race last time and unless one of the first starters is pretty good then he should get home. Ipswich 5-4 Miss Judgement has a very good record and is in good form but I think she's a risk at her probable short price, as Mini View is pretty well weighted in this race. There are four runners from our black book going around today and they're in two races. The first is race 7 at Ballarat, which sees dual POOMA winner, Bob'n'hop, take on last start winner, Blissa Nova. I thought that Blissa Nova could win the race at Sandown yesterday so she must be a big chance in this race. Canterbury race 5 has Misasio and Hairy clashing. Misasio sat right on the speed last time, was absolutely bolting on the corner and won with her head on her chest against what was admittedly poor company. Hairy has won both of her runs up the line at Scone and has looked a really good type. I'll stand all four of the black bookers out in the quaddies.

Yesterday: A bit of a kicking again yesterday with 1/4 at $1.60 and it only won by a head. The other three selections went like Roger the day after St Kilda wins a Grand Final (that's theoretical, of course, because he's never actually seen one and with the pack of softies they've got now it's not likely he will any time soon).

SELECTIONS - 6 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Eagle Farm 6-2 Sir Monashee
Gawler 4-3 Ninemile Road
Hawkesbury 2-3 Aftermath
Hawkesbury 4-4 Eddie Rapido

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Sandown 2-1

Today: A few POOMAs today and all come from nice systems so I hope we can get a result. Eddie Rapido is going to go around at decent odds at Hawkesbury and if he handles the step up in trip, which I think he will, then he'll go pretty close.

Yesterday: Ha! Who said the cricket would be boring? Me! At least one of the sides somnambulated through the day as they were mesmerised by the guile of Shane Warne. What an amazing win. I hope I tipped you into Klondike Kid yesterday at double figure odds. The pace was right on, as expected, and he won handsomely beating the favourite, which looked very one paced.

SELECTIONS - 5 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Kyneton 8-8, 8-9
Scone 3-1

Today: Last day of the Adelaide Test and I'm not expecting anything other than more boredom as the players somnambulate through another two sessions and then call it quits at tea. I have commented to my mates for some time that I don't believe that Brett Lee is a top class bowler, which is generally receieved as an extreme heresy. This first became apparent when McGrath was out of the side against Zimbabwe a couple of years ago and the opening combination was Lee/Gillespie. That series also raised my concerns about Gillespie, which became fatally proven during the Ashes series last year. Lee is simply not able to step into the role of 'team leader' of the fast bowlers. One of the issues is that he is too short at around 5'11" and doesn't do enough with the ball so on a flat pitch can be played off the front foot even when his bowling is clocked at over 150kph. He has an OK wicket strike rate of 53 but his bowling average of nearly 32 from his 55 Tests speaks to my point. In his last 20 Tests (after the Bangladesh and Zimbwabe series) his average is nearly 35 and against England overall it's a whopping 45. There is an argument that he terrorises batsmen while McGrath cleans them up at the other end but his bowling averages against cricketing minnows Bangladesh (47 from 4 Tests) and Zimbabwe (37 from 2 Tests) don't support the argument. Our batting is strong enough and there's a lot of depth below Test level that will support that aspect of the team going forward. However, when Shaun Tait is seriously considered as a Test bowler then I have to suggest that there's not much coming through in the fast bowling ranks. He seems to get wickets by surprising the batsmen (and no doubt himself) with the odd fast, inswinging yorker that's on target. If McGrath is really in the very twilight of his career then we are heading for a period that lacks the success we've had over the last 10 years. Not much to report on the racing today apart from the interesting runner from the Freedman stable in race 6 at Kyneton. Miss River Street has had her 6 starts in the USA and has notched up $81K in prizemoney. If she's anywhere near right then she should blow them away. There looks like a fair pace in the race and if there's going to be an upset then it might come from Klondike Kid, which will settle back and charge home. I'll analyse the quaddies, as I always do, and might look to stand out Mackay 5-4 Slice Of The Pie, as this is much easier company than he's been racing around in lately.

Yesterday: Was a slow day at the cricket. Were there races on?

SELECTIONS - 4 December 2006

POOMA selections:

There are no POOMA selections today

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Moe 7-4

Today: Like yesterday, I'll watch the cricket. Meetings at Moe and Taree don't do anything for me.

Yesterday: Naturally, I take the day off and everything in sight wins. The POOMA won at $2 and the two non-POOMAs got home at $5+, which is a handy dividend. Some scratchings and updates came through after I'd posted, which created another selection that would have been a POOMA. Of course, it won too.

SELECTIONS - 3 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Launceston 8-9 Miewa's Quest

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Geelong 6-3
Murray Bridge 7-4

Today: I'll take the day off and watch the cricket.

Yesterday: A complete massacre yesterday. The worst day on record to keep a very last week going where only 4 horses have got home from 45 selections across all systems, which has hurt the POOMAs, of course.

SELECTIONS - 2 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Ascot 3-4 Lacida
Cheltenham 1-3 Dee's Brother
Eagle Farm 2-1 Redhotjazz
Moonee Valley 2-2 Silver Service
Moonee Valley 5-11 Test Fire
Randwick 3-3 Fabergine

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Eagle Farm 8-9
Newcastle 1-3
Tamworth 1-2
Yarra Glen 6-2

Today: Quite a few selections today. MV 2-2 Scenic Silver is going to be 3rd favourite so about $3.80, which is a terrific price for a horse that is going to get the run of the race. He really dashed on the top of the straight last time at a night meeting and if he does that again then he'll go very close. MV 5-11 Test Fire is another that will get a very good run in what is an open race. The horse gets in well at the weights and will be nice odds at around $8. Cheltenham 1-3 Dee's Brother is first up in Adelaide for a new stable. He never got a go at them last time, going to the post under a hold, so forget the duck egg next to his name. If he runs up to his previous form then he'll take this out. Eagle Farm 2-1 Redhotjazz comes from one of my longest, most consistent systems. Unless there's a good first starter then he should get home. Another in that category is Randwick 3-3 Fabergine from the Gai Waterhouse stable. She showed a lot of guts in her narrow win last time and will be in the firing line all of the way. Another 2YO selection today at Ascot with 3-4 Lacida, which won nicely after leading at her first run. A repeat performance should see her home again.

Yesterday: 1 from 4 yesterday and again we were a bit unlucky but that's how it goes. A few horses to definitely follow from yesterday. Wagga 7-2 Bimutualconsent jumped from a Gundagai Maiden win to a Class 2 race, settled back in the field, made her run wide, went BANG at the 300m to storm to the lead in a twinkling at which point she was allowed to coast to the line under no pressure and a lazy 3L clear. She's up to city class for sure. At Ipswich, 2-3 Bionic Rock was heavily backed at his first start, missed the jump, wouldn't settle, was wide for the last half of the race, kept coming and went down narrowly. It was a good effort and he's worth following. At MV I think we might have seen the first start of a top class sprinter in the form of 3-11 Lucky Secret. Having her first start she was heavily backed in a field of 11, most of which had won races, jumped from gate 6 to lead, controlled the race, accelerated on the corner and won by 4-5L hard held.

SELECTIONS - 1 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Hamilton 4-6 Run Barry Run
Hamilton 7-2 Leurr Charno
Wagga 3-1 Master Strategy
Wagga 6-2 Commissioner Mac

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Hamilton 8-10
Ipswich 7-2

Today: Another set of POOMAs. Let's hope that December kicks off better than November finished.

Yesterday: More butt-kicking yesterday with 0/3. Two of the selections looked like winning 100m out but couldn't get home. Following on from 0/4 on Wednesday that's an ugly couple of days.