/ Jake Norton / 20 February 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Mathew Thompson and Jake Norton give you the warriors tips for the Horse racing, A League and the Super14's

THOMO'S BEST - ROSEHILL, RACE 6, NUMBER 1 - VISION AND POWER

This in-form stayer has had a super preparation featuring three wins and a second from four starts.

He loves the 2000 metre trip around Rosehill where he's one win and one second from two goes.

He has top weight again, but seems to relish a challenge. He's underrated, but tough, and always gives the backers a good sight.

The money will come for Enzedex Eagle in this race, and should see Betfair layers offer up something around $4.20 about one of Sydney's in-form gallopers.

JAKEY'S BEST - CAULFIELD, RACE 7 (BLUE DIAMOND STAKES), NUMBER 7 - ROSTOVA

JN: Thomo, after last week's display in the muck, I'm surprised you're bothering singling one out in Sydney. The only reason I'd be touching them is to lay a few false faves and watch them drown in the wet.

So, I'm going to make a declaration in the big one for the weekend, the Blue Diamond. And whilst it may not seem particularly insightful tipping shorties - and indeed, it may be a little boring - but it is increasingly becoming a struggle to see how any of the other two-year-olds competing will beat gun filly Rostova.

There's little doubt that Sydney visitor Real Saga is a high quality colt, and the argument that the boys ran the better time in the Preludes is potentially a valid one. But the ease with which Rostova came off the slower pace in the fillies' edition and won without going close to being extended was particularly impressive.

Having previously defeated all of their competitors with ease and by significant margins, the Testa Rossa filly and the Tale of the Cat colt are clearly the two standouts, but Real Saga's presence may only inject value into Rostova's price. She reminds of Alinghi at the same stage of their respective careers, and for that reason she should win well.

THE VALUE - QUEENSLAND ROAR TO BEAT ADELAIDE

Aurelio Vidmar, Adelaide forgives you. But will your team?

The fractures in the Reds camp were there for all to see last weekend when they were belted by Melbourne, and the coaches after match spray has made it even harded to swallow.

Queensland has looked good over the last month and made easy work of the Mariners in the elimination final tie.

$2.46 is a big price against a team that has a big repair job ahead.

THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - BACK THE DRAW IN THE MATCH ODDS

JN: Aurelio Vidmar's vitriolic outburst has had a palpable effect on Betfair punters, it seems, who have installed his Adelaide United team favourites to win Saturday night's preliminary final despite some abysmal recent form.

United may have conceded six goals in a fortnight and are playing more like Adelaide Divided, but Vidmar's spray looks to have frightened the daylights out of Betfair punters who expect his charges from that certain 'ant' town to lift accordingly.

However, matches between the two sides this season have hardly been rousing affairs (two draws and a 1-0), so at $3.05, a draw at 90 minutes clearly looks the best option.

LAY OF THE WEEKEND - SUPER 14 - BRUMBIES @ $1.77 AGAINST THE CRUSADERS

Back home the Brumbies are always hard to beat. They have started the season off on the right note, and look line being a force again in 2009.

However, the Crusaders are the undisputed champions of Super rugby, and one must never discount this quality line-up.

As an Aussie, I hope the Brumbies get the cash, but they will be winning without me at $1.74 to back, and $1.77 to lay.

THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - BACK THE BRUMBIES

JN: The Crusaders may be the undisputed champs of Super rugby, but they lose Richie McCaw (arguably the best player in the world, and definitely the most influential), Leon McDonald and Brad Thorn from last week's team, on top of the loss of Carter, Ali Williams, Caleb Ralph et al long-term.

They go in without a great deal of experience this weekend, and the absence of McCaw augurs particularly well for Brumbies gun George Smith who should be able to dominate the breakdown.

The Brumbies should thus win comfortably at home. 1.73 on Betfair is a steal.