Punters On The Ball As Titans Firm For The Title
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 2, 2001
Victoria's charge through the premiership rounds hasn't been missed by punters, with the Titans into equal favouritism with Perth to win the National Basketball League title.
``Victoria are looking very strong at the moment and punters fancy them to win the premiership," said Geoff Edwards of SportOdds.
``We have them into $2.80 now and they are likely to continue to firm after this weekend's match."
Awaiting Victoria in round 16 action are hometown rivals Melbourne, but the match is expected to be all one-way traffic.
``We have taken a stack of money for Victoria to defeat Melbourne. Punters had no worries in backing the Titans in from $1.33 to $1.28," said Col Greer, representing bookmaker Bill Hurley.
``Victoria are looking very strong to win the title as well, with punters backing them into equal favouritism with us during the week."
SportOdds reported interest for Victoria giving away 61/2 points start, with a bet of $5,500 at $1.90.
In other games, Wollongong, unbeaten in six away matches, have been well backed with 71/2 points start for their trip to Adelaide, while West Sydney are expected to cover the 61/2 points start they are forced to give Cairns.
There has been little support for the Sydney Kings at their short quote against Canberra, who are unwanted, but punters have taken their chances on Brisbane, who are despised outsiders against Townsville.
Zimbabwe's improved batting performance against Australia in Hobart earlier this week has been the catalyst for their backing to defeat the West Indies in Perth tonight.
With a final spot against Australia in the Carlton Series on the line, Zimbabwe must beat the West Indies at the WACA Ground.
``Punters think Zimbabwe's desperation to gain a start in the finals might just be enough to get them over the line," Greer said.
Hurley has shortened Zimbabwe's price from $2.20 into $2.15 as a result of continued support.
``Zimbabwe's batting was pretty good the other day and if they repeat that, they should be able to defeat the West Indies," Greer added.
Zimbabwe have also come in for good support with SportOdds to defeat the West Indies, with one punter having $9,000 on them at $2.20. Bookmaker Hamish Davidson, however, reported one punter having $10,000 on the West Indies at $1.70.
In domestic cricket, Davidson has NSW at $2.40, with Western Australia, favourites to win the Mercantile Mutual Cup, rated at $1.57.
Kostya Tszyu is expected to crush rival Sharmbra Mitchell in the junior welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Tszyu is around the $1.22 price with bookmakers, while Mitchell is paying as much as $4.30. The draw is the rank outsider.
In betting on the method of victory, a Tszyu knockout is the favoured option by punters.
St George Illawarra, the disappointments of last year, continue to firm in betting on the National Rugby League competition, which kicks off later this month.
SportOdds have been hit by an avalanche of punters wanting to support the Dragons.
``They have been backed off the map," Edwards said.
``We are offering $15 about them to win the premiership and punters think that is good value, as one had $5,000 on them to win $70,000."
Brisbane have eased slightly since their loss in the World Club Challenge to St Helens, while betting is steady on who will win the wooden spoon.
``There's been plenty of speculative bets for teams like the Wests Tigers and Canberra to finish in last place," said Edwards.
Six Nations rugby kicks off this weekend, with the hot favourites expected to dominate.
Bill Hurley has Ireland at $1.08 against Italy ($7.50), England at $1.22 against Wales ($4.15) and France at $1.14 against Scotland ($5.10).
With England the last team to defeat the world champion Wallabies, they should be able to account for Wales, which makes the 121/2 points start Hurley has set on the game look appealing.
The $1.90 price for England to triumph by 13 points or more is far better than the $1.22 for the straight win.
Italy are receiving 201/2 points against Ireland, while France are giving away 141/2 points start with Hurley against Scotland.
England are $1.55 to win the Six Nations series, ahead of France ($4) and Ireland ($9).
Australian Nick O'Hern has been well backed by punters in his bid to win the Heineken Classic this weekend.
A SportOdds client led the way by investing $1,500 on O'Hern at a quote of $17.
There has been a sprinkling of money for some of the other young Australians contesting the event but the only other significant wager has been for Thomas Bjorn, with a punter having $1,700 on him at $11.
Meanwhile, the doubt over Tiger Woods taking his place has resulted in punters supporting Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Tom Lehman to win the AT&T tournament at Pebble Beach in the US.
Pre-post betting on the feature two-year-old races is proving popular, with Bill Hurley taking plenty of money for Donna Natalia. ``Obviously punters didn't think she went that bad when resuming with a third at Rosehill last week," Greer said. ``There has been good money for her to win the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper with us and she has also been coupled in doubles into runners in the Doncaster and Sydney Cup."
Other juveniles to attract support in Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper discussions are the John Hawkes-trained Lonhro and Faiza.
``Punters are looking at the horses that have shown good form and those two fit the bill," Greer said.
``They'll only continue to firm in betting if they keep racing as well as they have to date."
Donna Natalia and Gai Waterhouse's Magic Millions winner Excellerator head Slipper betting at 5-1, with Faiza 7-1 and Lonhro at 10-1.
BEST BETS
Basketball
Victoria at $1.90 with Davidson's giving away 61/2 points start against Melbourne in the NBL.
Cricket
Zimbabwe at $2.20 with SportOdds against the West Indies in the Carlton Series. Basketball
West Sydney at $1.90 with Bill Hurley giving away 61/2 points start against Cairns in the NBL.
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald
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