Black Caviar News: Star mare to prepare at HQ prior to British debut

News / Timeform / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Thee 135-rated Black Caviar

"The trainer has that Black Caviar is to have one final run on home soil (in April)..."

The world's best sprinter Black Caviar looks likely to spend a month in the headquarters of British racing, Newmarket, before her much-anticipated UK debut in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot...

Trainer Peter Moody's superstar, whose Timeform rating of 135 leaves her second only to Frankel in the list of world's top performers, is enjoying a break at present having run twice within a week when last seen.

The latest of her 19 wins came in the Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes on February 18, while one more victory would see her pass Zenyatta's record set in 2010.

The trainer has that Black Caviar is to have one final run on home soil (in April) before being prepared for her British assignment, although such plans are far from set in stone.

Jeff O'Connor, racing manager to owner's G J Wilkie, Mrs K J Wilkie et al, has stated that plans will be finalised by this time next week, with races in Adelaide and Brisbane just some of the options open.

Black Caviar's first run in the UK is schedule to be on June 23 and connections have said how she will be flying across around the last week of May or first week of June.

A Betfair market remains open on whether Black Caviar can go undefeated throughout the 2011/12 season.

Camelot heads 143 colts remaining in the Investec Derby following the first forfeit stage for the premier Classic at Epsom on June 2....

Godolphin has 22 declared runners, including one reserve, for Super Saturday at Meydan on March 10 - the most valuable raceday in the UAE outside of Dubai World Cup night......

Invictus has emerged as a doubtful runner in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham......

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Pakistan v England, Day 3 Analysis: Prepare for twists

Pakistan v England / Ed Hawkins / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Saeed Ajmal might be deadly on a fourth day wicket

"A chase of 175 on a wearing pitch with Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman whirling away will be tricky indeed"

Ed Hawkins says there could be more turns on day four as England look to get back into the series

So England would appear to be in the driving seat after day three of the second Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. They are [1.49] for victory with Pakistan [3.75] and the draw a largely irrelevant [14.50].

The tourists, who have battled hard in this Test following their dismal showing in the first game, leaving many to believe it was surely a blip, trail by 55 runs with six wickets to claim.

England should win. Should. It is difficult to definitely say that they will, however, because we must respect the character of this game. It has been a capricious sort. We have been unable to confidently say how proceedings would pan out, in terms of one side dominating, ever since England's implosion from a position of strength on day two.

The key for England will be early wickets. And from that point of view the game has been consistent. In the first innings England rushed through the Pakistan tail after an overnight break as refreshed bowlers restricted Pakistan to only one more run.

A repeat is unlikely, of course, but Andrew Strauss and co will hope to pick up the remaining Pakistan batsmen for no more than 100 runs. Any more and England will be nervous. A chase of 175 on a wearing pitch with Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman whirling away will be tricky indeed.

In such a sentence we have a strategy for the denouement. There is the potential for classic back-and-lay scenarios in a tight chase, particularly as we already know that once partnerships - which are far from impossible - are broken there is an opportunity for another quick wicket. One brings two has been this Test's mantra.

There is work to be done until then, of course. And one would hope that a thrilling Test does not fizzle out with Pakistan falling by the wayside tomorrow. Much depends on Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali. Adnan Akmal aside, there is precious little batting to come.

Looking ahead to a top England runscorer, it is difficult to get away from Jonathan Trott. A battle will be right up his street and we will forgive him his lazy shot in the first dig. Men to avoid are Strauss, Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen.

Each appear to be in dire form. There is little one may be able to do betting-wise with the latter two but Strauss could be worth a lay for top bat, especially if England are chasing a small target.

No-one managed to correctly predict the number of runs scored on day three in the Michael Vaughan Run Chase game so we have a rollover on day three, with £1,500 now up for grabs.

Click here to play ahead of tomorrow's action.

The last hour and a half of day two really put the brakes on England's progress and facing Saeed Ajmal isn't going to get any easier. Batting last on this pitch may be like playing on a minefield and that...

Ed Hawkins is worried about England batting last at the Sheikh Zayed Stadioum after a topsy-turvy day...

Ed Hawkins says England are close to rediscovering their identity after taking charge in Abu Dhabi...

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Eurovision 2011: Favourites prepare for semi stroll

Eurovision Song Contest / Eliot Pollak / 10 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ell and Nikki from Azerbaijan are fancied to go well - and why not - they make a lovely couple don't they?

"Whilst there is obviously a wee bit of glory in winning the semi, the aim for each ‘artist’ would be simply to reach the final. Think of Usain Bolt jogging towards the line in a 100m Olympics heat, before ploughing your earnings into a Semi-Final ‘Winner’ bet."

Europe is such an unwieldy beast that we have to split the Eurovision hopefuls into two - but that shouldn't endanger the fancied countries, says Eliot Pollak

With the big five of Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the old UK all bulldozing their way straight through to the final, our Eurovision attention turns to the two semi-finals, from which ten nations will emerge from each, for the dubious honour of competing in Saturday night's Dusseldorf showdown.

The first point to consider in the betting is the markets themselves. Whilst there is obviously a wee bit of glory in winning the semi, the aim for each 'artist' would be simply to reach the final. Think of Usain Bolt jogging towards the line in a 100m Olympics heat, before ploughing your earnings into a Semi-Final 'Winner' bet. It is little surprise therefore, that most of the liquidity can be found in the 'To Qualify' market.

It is no surprise to see Russia and Azerbaijan as the two favourites to go through - the Azerbaijani entry is hotly fancied to win the whole thing (more of which later in the week).

The long shots to qualify (aside from San Marino) are the Portuguese, possibly due to being one of only two countries in this semi, to risk singing in their native language - the other being Poland. Opting to warble in any language other than English is Eurovision suicide - after all, there has only been one winner since 1998 who has completely shunned our mother tongue.

Having had your bet, BBC3 at 20:00 on Tuesday night is your place to watch the first Semi-Final, where Sara Cox will be revealing to the nation that she is still alive, by ramming a commentary down our necks, in her usual subtle, dulcet tones.

Dan Fitch takes a look at the most weird and wonderful performances at Eurovision....

Dan Fitch takes a look at the problems that face the UK as they attempt to win Eurovision....

Germany will be wheeling out last year's winner Lena Meyer-Landrut while Britain has employed the 'talents' of ageing 'boy' band Blue, even Ireland are putting their faith in the star names with Jedward preparing to perform. But can the proven...

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