The Punt: Your ticket to winning big this weekend with TAB

THERE may be 100 reasons to back the Tigers this weekend, but when the Kangaroos head to their Hobart fortress as favourites it’s virtually a case of shut the gate. They don’t loss and just might be Round 9’s best bet.

THERE may be 100 reasons to back the Tigers this weekend, but when the Kangaroos head to their Hobart fortress as favourites it’s virtually a case of shut the gate. They don’t loss.

They look potentially a great bet against a dismally out of form Greater Western Sydney outfit on Saturday as they try to extend their unbeaten record as favourite in Hobart.

The Roos ($1.65) have won all eight games there when the bookies tip them to win. The Giants ($2.25), however, did claim the points in Hobart last season, posting a seven-goal win.

The Tigers have an equally efficient strike-rate when they reach cross the 100-point threshold.

The reigning premiers have scored 100 points in six of their eight matches this season, winning on each occasion.

No team has the measure of the Tigers ($1.85), who come up against West Coast ($1.95) in Perth on Sunday, once they roll into three figures on the scoreboard.

Check out all the TAB odds in our weekly preview of all the big clashes in the AFL and NRL, plus horse racing out of Adelaide, the FA Cup and the latest round of the Supercars Championship from Winton.

NICK QUINN’S BEST BETS

HORSE RACING

VEGA MAGIC (Race 7, No. 1 — $2.60)

MORPHETTVILLE, SATURDAY

Arguably the best sprinter in the country who won this race in dominant style last year and looks perfectly placed to go back to back at a backable price.

ANATOLA (RACE 9, No. 2 — $2)

DOOMBEN, SATURDAY

Chasing a hat-trick of victories having won both starts as a heavily backed favourite this campaign. Should provide punters with a winner to end the day.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

GOODWOOD ANALYSIS: VIVA LA VEGA

AFL

ADELAIDE -33.5 ($2)

The Crows are starting to build momentum towards the form that had them the second best side in the competition last year and they should cover the line against a Bulldogs side, which is a long way from its best.

PORT ADELAIDE 40+ ($1.75)

Port Adelaide won this fixture by 72 points last year when restricting Gold Coast to just four goals for the game. Power should easily account for a seemingly irrelevant Suns side.

Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin enjoys the good times at Tigerland. Picture: Getty Images

AFL

TON-UP TIGERS

WEST COAST ($1.95) V RICHMOND ($1.85)

PERTH STADIUM, SUNDAY 4.40PM

THE key to Richmond winning the game of the season against second-placed West Coast on Sunday afternoon is the Tigers notching 100 points.

Amazingly, Richmond has won its past 40 games when it has notched triple figures, not losing since Round 8, 2012.

The reigning premiers have scored 100 points in six of their eight matches this season, bringing up three figures two more times than fellow heavy scorers Adelaide, Melbourne and Collingwood.

The top-of-the table Tigers will be looking for a lift from Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin, who boasts an impressive record against the Eagles.

The bullocking midfielder has gathered only seven contested possessions in the past fortnight, the lowest two-week tally of his career.

Martin has been awarded 12 Brownlow Medal votes in eight matches against West Coast, averaging 27 possessions and two goals.

TAB is offering $2 on the Tigers next loss to be on Sunday, while they are $26 to go undefeated for the remainder of the home-and- away season.

Looking to September, Damien Hardwick’s men have been the best-backed team to win the flag, with 27 per cent of the money heading their way, including three $25,000 bets.

Dylan Atkinson

TIGER TIME

Richmond’s next loss

Rd 9 $2 v West Coast

Rd 10 $11 v St Kilda

Rd 11 $7.50 v Essendon

Rd 12 $5 v Port Adelaide

Rd 13 $10 v Geelong

Rd 15 $26 v Sydney

Rd 16 $34 v Adelaide

Rd 17 $26 v GWS

Rd 18 $151 v St Kilda

Rd 19 $101 v Collingwood

Rd 20 $81 v Geelong

Rd 21 $251 v Gold Coast

Rd 22 $251 v Essendon

Rd 23 $501 v Western Bulldogs

Unbeaten Rounds 9-23 $26

TRIPLE-FIGURE KINGS

Richmond’s record when scoring 100+ points

2018 6 wins 0 losses

2017 8 wins 0 losses

2016 5 wins 0 losses

2015 6 wins 0 losses

2014 4 wins 0 losses

2013 11 wins 0 losses

Total: 40 wins 0 losses

Shaun Higgins will be hoping the Kangaroos can continue their strong form in Hobart.

ROOS’ ISLAND HOME

NORTH MELBOURNE ($1.65) V GWS GIANTS ($2.25)

BLUNDSTONE ARENA, SATURDAY 1.45PM

NORTH Melbourne will be out to extend its unbeaten record as favourite in Hobart when it faces Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

The Roos have won all eight games there when the bookies tip them to win. The Giants, however, did claim the points in Hobart last season, posting a seven-goal win.

Of their top eight ball winners that day, only Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel look set to play this week, with Josh Kelly, Tom Scully, Devon Smith, Zach Williams, Shane Mumford and Toby Greene either injured or no longer at the club.

TASSIE TIGERS

North Melbourne as favourite at Blundstone Arena

R2 2012 Won ($1.02) v GWS by 129

R6 2013 Won ($1.41) v Port Adelaide by 10

R17 2014 Won ($1.04) v St Kilda by 59

R6 2015 Won ($1.60) v Richmond by 35

R20 2015 Won ($1.15) v St Kilda by 37

R3 2016 Won ($1.12) v Melbourne by 5

R11 2016 Won ($1.50) v Richmond by 70

R4 2018 Won ($1.45) v Carlton by 86

PUPS UP AGAINST IT

ADELAIDE ($1.18) V WESTERN BULLDOGS ($5)

ADELAIDE OVAL, FRISDAY 7.50PM

AN inexperienced Western Bulldogs side faces a stern test against Adelaide on Friday night and the odds suggest it will struggle to overcome.

The Bulldogs have consistently fielded the youngest team this season, with an average age of 23 years and three months. The team that beat Brisbane last week had 12 players with 50 games or fewer.

TAB’s $5.50 for the upset is the Doggies’ longest head-to-head price since they won the 2016 flag.

THE PUNT SPECIAL

No team to score 120 points in Round 9 of the AFL @ $7

NRL

STORM TURNS TO SECOND-STRINGERS

MELBOURNE ($1.47) V MANLY ($2.75)

AAMI PARK, SATURDAY 7.35PM

MELBOURNE Storm ($1.47) remains favourite to defeat arch-rival Manly ($2.75) on Saturday night at AAMI Park despite losing skipper Cameron Smith and Sam Kasiano to suspension.

Their absences add to those of Jesse Bromwich (knee) and Tim Glasby (thumb), while halfback Ryley Jacks could be in doubt after a head knock in the 28-14 win over Gold Coast last weekend.

Despite an inconsistent start to the NRL season, the reigning premier has been explosive at home, crushing Newcastle and New Zealand in the past two fixtures.

Brandon Smith is likely to replace Smith at hooker, while Tui Kamikamika or Patrick Kaufusi could step in for Kasiano.

Fourth-placed Storm is one of five teams with 6-4 record, while Manly (3-7) had a surprise 38-24 victory over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.

Dylan Atkinson

Vega Magic takes out the Lister Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield last year. Picture: Getty Images

HORSE RACING

VEGA MAGIC’S GOOD, BETTER, BEST

THE GOODWOOD, 1200M (GROUP 1)

MORPHETTVILLE, SATURDAY, 4.26PM

BOOM sprinter Vega Magic is on track to become the first horse in 106 years to win back-to-back Goodwoods in Adelaide on Saturday.

The Hayes-Dabernig trained former West Australian gelding is TAB’s $2.60 favourite to win the $1 million South Australian sprint.

Viddora is on the second line of betting at $8.50, ahead of Voodoo Lad ($10), Thronum ($11) and Santa Ana Lane and Secret Agenda (both $14).

Vega Magic has attracted a whopping 54 per cent of all money wagered with TAB, while Voodoo Lad (11 per cent), Santa Ana Lane (eight) and Viddora (seven) also have admirers.

Vega Magic, who demolished a small field in a recent Werribee jumpout, has not been to the races since finishing seventh behind Redzel in November’s Darley Classic.

He missed last month’s T.J. Smith Stakes after a training mishap.

Dylan Atkinson

LATEST MARKET

$2.60 Vega Magic

$8.50 Viddora

$10 Voodoo Lad

$11 Thronum

$14 Santa Ana Lane, Secret Agenda

$16 Super Cash

$19+ Others Quoted

Biggest potential collects on The Goodwood

$1000 at $12 on Thronum to win for a $12,000 collect

$300 at $26 on Missrock to win, $100 at $6.88 to place for a $8488 collect

$200 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Missrock for a $6650 collect

$500 at $13 on Voodoo Lad to win for a $6500 collect

$1700 at $3.20 on Vega Magic to win for a $5440 collect

Best backed for the win (since Wednesday)

1. Viddora ($8.50) – 29%

2. Vega Magic ($2.60) – 16%

3. Voodoo Lad ($10) – 10%

4. Santa Ana Lane ($14) – 10%

5. Missrock ($26) – 6%

Best backed for the place (since Wednesday)

1. Viddora ($2.87) – 23%

2. Voodoo Lad ($3.25) – 15%

3. Santa Ana Lane ($4.25) – 12%

4. Missrock ($7.25) – 10%

5. Mica Lil ($9.25) – 7%

FA CUP

BEDEVILLED BLUES

CHELSEA ($2) V MANCHESTER UNITED ($1.80)

WEMBLEY STADIUM, SUNDAY, 2.15AM

MANCHESTER United ($1.80) is all the rage to claim a 13th FA Cup crown in Sunday’s blockbuster against Chelsea ($2) at Wembley Stadium.

The Red Devils have attracted the weight of money with TAB despite the prospect of French international Anthony Martial (knee) missing the showpiece. Striker Romelu Lukaku is set to play after brushing off an ankle injury.

United boss Jose Mourinho is striving to become only the third manager in history to win the title with two clubs, having led Chelsea to victory in 2006-07.

Chelsea will be keen to go one better after going down to Arsenal last year in the decider.

United, which last claimed the title in 2016-17, surged past Tottenham 2-1 in their semi-final, while the Blues proved too strong for Southampton (2-0).

A win could cement Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s position after a torrid Premier League campaign in which the Blues finished fifth, missing out on a Champions League spot.

GREYHOUNDS

GREY MATTERS

SANDOWN, THURSDAY NIGHT

RAW ABILITY (RACE 10 BOX 2 $2.10)

Dual Group 1 winner with impeccable early speed. Trained by Anthony Azzopardi, he boasts a 50 per cent winning strike rate (20 from 40 starts).

ON THE TROT

TABCORP PARK, SATURDAY NIGHT

BERISARI (RACE 8 NO. 6 $2.10)

Right here, right now this mare is in beast mode and even with two major dangers drawn inside her she should not get rolled.

YOU BETCHA

With Eliza Sewell

GREAT SCOTT

Scott McLaughlin is short, really short, but that’s because he’s having a brilliant season.

He should take the spoils at Winton this weekend.

Odds $2.50

Scott McLaughlin celebrates with fans after winning Race 12 in Perth in this year’s V8 Supercars Championship. Picture: Getty Images

V8 SUPERCARS

GIMME FIVE

V8 CHAMPIONSHIP

WINTER SUPERSPRINT

SUNDAY 1.45PM

FORD flyer Scott McLaughlin ($2.50) is aiming for a fifth-straight Supercars victory in Victoria’s northeast this weekend.

If successful in the Winton SuperSprint, the Shell V-Power Racing ace will join motor racing royalty Allan Moffat, Peter Brock, Craig Lowndes and Marcus Ambrose as the only drivers to win five rounds in a row.

The legendary Lowndes holds the Supercars record with eight straight wins, ahead of Jamie Whincup (seven).

Moffat, Dick Johnson, Jim Richards and Mark Skaife each won six straight races during their decorated careers.

McLaughlin has built a strong 158-point championship lead following wins at Phillip Island and Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway.

The young Kiwi speedster ($1.60) is favoured with TAB to win the Supercars crown, ahead of Holden trio Shane Van Gisbergen ($4.50), Whincup ($7) and David Reynolds ($7).

Lowndes ($15) rounds out the top five chances after five rounds.

Finding a winner at Winton has been tricky of late, with nine different drivers from seven teams taking out the past 13 races.

WINTON SUPERSPRINT

$2.50 Scott McLaughlin

$5 Jamie Whincup, Shane Van Gisbergen

$9 Fabian Coulthard

$11 David Reynolds

$15 Chaz Mostert, Craig Lowndes

$26+ Others Quoted

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Think! About your choices. Call Gambler’s Help Gambling Help or the ACT Gambling Counselling and Support Service on 1800 858 858 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au or www.gamblinghelponline.org.au Don’t chase your losses. Walk away. Gamble responsibly.

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